Athens of the South

Hume-Fogg High School

Besides “Music City”, Nashville has often been referred to as the “Athens of the South”. The city got this name in the late 1800s because it was the home of several institutes of higher education. It was also the first southern city to have a public school system. Hume-Fogg High School (originally Hume School) opened in 1855 and was the first public school in Nashville. Today, there are dozens of colleges and universities in the greater Nashville area including Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, David Lipscomb University, Tennessee State University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Fisk University, Draughons Junior College, Nashville Tech, Watkins College of Art and Design, Aquinas College, and the Nashville Auto Diesel College.

The Parthenon at Centennial Park

As a result of the name “Athens of the South”, for the state centennial celebration in 1896, a replica of the Parthenon was constructed at what is now Centennial Park. Originally built as a temporary exhibit hall, the Parthenon has since gone through several renovations to become a permanent landmark of the city. Being an exact replica, the Parthenon is a fantastic resource for any student of ancient Greece.

A bench by the lake

Ducks looking for a hand out

Rock bridge.  Lots of wedding photos are taken here.

Centennial Park is nestled between Vanderbilt University, Centennial Hospital, and Hospital Corporation of America. As an urban park it gets a lot of use from the area residents, primarily Vanderbilt and Belmont University students, as well as the hundreds of employees of nearby businesses. The walking paths are popular with walkers and joggers. Lunch time brings out the brown baggers from HCA and Centennial Hospital. Fishing is allowed in the small, man-made lake and children love to feed the ducks and geese. With numerous flower gardens, park benches and swings, it is an ideal place to just sit, relax, and enjoy the beauty

In my opinion, this park and the Parthenon should be on the “must see” list of visitors to Nashville.