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Image 1 of 6: Exterior of L&C Tower, 2019. Image courtesy of MHCF.
Exterior of L&C Tower, 2019. Image courtesy of MHCF.
Photograph of Deacon's New South, in the base of the L&C Tower, 2019. Image courtesy of Sydney Whitten.
Aerial of downtown from 1961, when L&C Tower was the only skyscraper. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
1960 postcard of the Nashville skyline reflected in the Cumberland River. Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
Photograph of Mayor Beverly Briley, first mayor of the combined Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County government, on the observation deck of L&C Tower, 1960s. Visible in the distance is the Davidson County Courthouse, Woodland Street Bridge, Municipal Auditorium, and St. Mary's Church.Image courtesy of Nashville Public Library.
Front entrance of L&C Tower, 2019. Image courtesy of MHCF.
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Exterior of L&C Tower, 2019. Image courtesy of MHCF.

Food for Thought

Stop 6 of 13

L&C Tower/ Deacon's

This massive skyscraper stands at over 409 feet high with 30 floors above the ground. The building was designed by famed architect Edwin A. Keeble. It was completed in 1957. Once finished, this was the tallest building in Tennessee until 1965. The tower was home to the Life and Casualty Insurance company, whose name the building bears. The L&C was an insurance company based in Nashville, which was founded in 1903 by A. M. Burton and Guilford Dudley. But the L&C Tower, as it is called, remains a permanent fixture of the Nashville skyline. Deacon’s New South Restaurant is located on its first floor. The gourmet menu includes gulf fish, seasoned filet mignon, and peppadew-peanut romesco. This is a great restaurant to visit but prices are not cheap, so visit Deacon’s for a special night out. And while you’re there, check out the always impressive L&C Tower.

From the L&C Tower, cross and turn LEFT onto Fourth Avenue North. Diagonally across from the L&C Tower stands the Noelle Hotel. Pause for your next stop.

Navigate to Next Stop
Tour Stops
1

Hermitage Hotel/Capitol Grille and Oak Bar

231 Sixth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219

2

417 Union/ Satsuma Tea Room

417 Union Street, Nashville, TN, 37219

3

The Arcade and Peanut Shop

65 Arcade Alley, Nashville, TN 37219

4

Woolworth on Fifth

221 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208

5

St. Cloud Corner/ Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant

500 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219

6

L&C Tower/ Deacon's

401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219

7

Noelle Hotel

200 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219

8

Dream Hotel/ Utopia Hotel and Climax Saloon

210 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219

9

Southern Turf/ Skull's Rainbow Room

222 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219

10

Black Rabbit

218 Third Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201

11

Gray & Dudley

221 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201

12

Acme Feed and Seed

101 Broadway Nashville, TN 37201

13

Merchants Restaurant

401 Broadway Nashville, TN 37203

Full Record & Citation
Title L&C (Life and Casualty) Tower
Creator Nashville Historical Foundation
Author Tim Walker, NHF Executive Director; 2018
Date 1957
Address 401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219
Description Designed by Edward A. Keeble (1905-1979), the Life and Casualty Tower was the first major building constructed in Nashville after World War II and was Nashville's first post-war skyscraper to be erected. The office building has thirty-one floors at 409 feet tall and was Nashville's tallest building from 1957 until 1970. It was composed of limestone walls, granite, green glass, and aluminum window fins. Keeble's seven million dollar office building has a dark marble, Art Moderne style entrance and four-story lobby. Neon "L&C" letters were employed at the top of the structure as a corporate symbol and changed colors according to each day's weather forecast.
Type Building
Coverage Area 1
Source Edwin A. Keeble, architect
Contributor Ross Bryan Associates
Subject Architecture; Businesses; Downtown; Industry; Post-World War II
Keywords Art Moderne, Buildings, Insurance, Skyscrapers, L&C (Life and Casualty) Tower
Rights CC BY-NC 4.0
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