Centennial Park (Nashville) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Centennial Park
The Parthenon is the centerpiece of the park.
Type	Public park
Location	Nashville, Tennessee
Area	132-acre (0.53 km2)
Created	1903
Operated by	Metropolitan Nashville Department of Parks and Recreation

Centennial Park is a big park in Nashville, Tennessee. It's about two miles (three km) west of the city center. The park is right across from Vanderbilt University. It's also next to the main office of a large healthcare company called Hospital Corporation of America.

This land was once a farm owned by early Nashville families. After the American Civil War, it became a state park. For a while, it was even a racetrack! In 1897, it was chosen to host a big event called the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition. After the event, most of the temporary buildings were taken down. But a special building, a copy of the ancient Greek Parthenon, stayed. Centennial Park officially opened in 1903. Because people loved the Parthenon so much, it was rebuilt in the 1920s using strong steel and concrete. For many years, due to unfair rules, some groups of people were not allowed to use the park or its swimming pool. This changed after new laws were passed in 1964.

Park History and Development

Early Land Ownership

The park covers 132-acre (0.53 km²) of land. It was originally farmland belonging to John Cockrill and his wife, Anne Robertson Johnson Cockrill. Anne was the sister of General James Robertson. She and her family came to Nashville very early on. Anne Cockrill was the first woman to receive a land grant in Tennessee. Their son, Mark R. Cockrill, became famous for his sheep. He was even called the "Wool King of the World." He was a very wealthy farmer.

Some of the park land was also part of a large farm called Burlington. This farm belonged to Joseph T. Elliston, who was the fourth mayor of Nashville. Later, his son, William R. Elliston, owned it. The Elliston family's farm stretched into what is now Vanderbilt University. Their old mansion was taken down in the 1930s.

From Fairgrounds to Park

After the Civil War, this land was used for the state fair. From 1884 to 1895, a large part of it became a racetrack called West Side Park. In 1897, the area was chosen for the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition. This is when it was renamed Centennial Park.

To get ready for the exposition, the park was beautifully designed. New, temporary buildings were built for exhibits. A small, artificial lake called Lake Watauga was created. There were also sunken gardens and a bandshell for music shows. Lake Watauga was named after a place in North Carolina where many early Nashville settlers came from.

A copy of the Parthenon was also built. This was to honor Nashville's nickname, "The Athens of the South." It was designed by William Crawford Smith.

Park Dedication and Changes

After the big exposition, most of the temporary buildings were removed. But Lake Watauga, the gardens, the bandshell, and the Parthenon remained. The park was officially opened in May 1903. For many years, unfair rules meant that African Americans were not allowed to use Centennial Park.

In 1909, a statue called the Confederate Private Monument was added. It was designed by George Julian Zolnay. Groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy helped raise money for it.

Centennial Park became a very popular place for white people in Nashville. As people worked for equal rights, the park became a place of change. On July 18, 1961, six African Americans tried to use the public swimming pool in the park but were turned away. The next day, all public pools in Nashville were closed. It wasn't until a new national civil rights law passed in 1964 that everyone was allowed to use the park. In 1972, the old pool area was turned into an arts center.

The Parthenon's Journey

The Parthenon replica was first built as a temporary building for the Nashville exhibit. Over time, it started to wear down. Some people thought about tearing it down, but residents wanted to keep it. So, in the 1920s, the city decided to replace the temporary plaster building. They built a strong, permanent structure using concrete and steel. This is the Parthenon you see today, and it has been updated as needed.

From 1954 to 1967, the Parthenon was the background for a huge nativity scene. This scene was about 280 feet (85 m) long and 75 feet (23 m) deep. It was lit up with colorful lights.

Park Events and Features

In the 1960s, the park hosted Sunday afternoon concerts. Famous singers like Pat Boone performed there. In 1975, a movie director named Robert Altman filmed a scene for his movie Nashville in the park.

In 1990, a large statue of Athena was placed inside the Parthenon's art gallery. It was designed by Nashville sculptor Alan LeQuire. This statue honors the women's right to vote movement.

In 1998, a big tornado hit Nashville. It damaged or destroyed most of the park's old shade trees. It will take many years for new trees to grow big again.

On November 11, 2005, Centennial Park became Nashville's first park to offer free Wi-Fi internet access. The park's bandshell was also home to the "Shakespeare in the Park" plays for thirty years.

In 2012, workers found the source of a natural spring. This spring was a big feature when Anne Robertson Johnson Cockrill owned the land. For 100 years, it had been covered up. Now, it's called Cockrill Springs and is a new natural part of the park.

On August 26, 2016, a new monument was revealed in the park. It was also designed by Alan LeQuire. This monument shows important local women who worked for women's right to vote. These women include Carrie Chapman Catt, Anne Dallas Dudley, Abby Crawford Milton, Juno Frankie Pierce, and Sue Shelton White.

The park also has a recreation center. The city's Department of Parks and Recreation offices are located here, but they are moving to a new spot soon.

Images for kids

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  Steam engine 576, which has since moved out of the park

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  F-86L Sabre Jet