History of 2nd Avenue Market Street

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Image depicts Nashville during the Civil War [photo: Carole Bucy]

On February 17, 2021, we gathered the public for a listening session to hear what they think makes 2nd Avenue unique. Well before our lifetime, 2nd Avenue (formerly Market Street), was the center of a bustling Downtown core.

At the listening session, Davidson County Historian, Carole Bucy, set the scene for Historic 2nd Avenue Market Street. She told us that Nashville was really put on the map following the War of 1812. The Market Street square area quickly developed into a well-established Downtown core pre-Civil War. The Courthouse itself was rebuilt many times over during this time.

1877—Minton & Cooper Tinware at 22 Market St [photo: Carole Bucy]

Nashville didn’t have as much damage as other Southern cities following the Civil War, so the community was able to maintain much of the pre-Civil War charm and architecture as it continued to build out Downtown.

The area became a wholesale center because of the proximity to steamboats off the Cumberland River, and later railroads. Hardware, fabric, tools, and pharmaceuticals are some examples of the goods that were sold on Market Street.

There were a number of fires on Market Street, but it continued to be built and rebuilt as a commercial center. In the late 1800s, Market Street had some major innovations, like the sewer line and exploring the best street paving solutions.

1875—Watson House Building on Market Street [photo: Carole Bucy]

1897—Looking North on Market Street from Broadway [photo: Carole Bucy]