Nashville

Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is on the navigable Cumberland River, 200 miles above the Ohio, and 185 miles by rail SSW. of Louisville. The city, which is one of the principal railway centres in the southern states, is built mainly on the left bank of the river, which is crossed by a suspension bridge and a railway drawbridge to the suburb of Edgefield. Nashville is a handsome, well-built town, with an imposing state capitol of limestone ($1,500,000), a penitentiary (400 cells), and a large lunatic asylum. As an educational centre the city is of considerable importance. The public-school system is excellent; and here are the Nashville University (1806), Vanderbilt University (Methodist Episcopal South, 1875), Central Tennessee College (for coloured Methodists, 1866), Fisk University (Congregationalist, 1867, with few but coloured students), Roger Williams University (Baptist, also for coloured students), the state normal college, &c. Most of these institutions are open to both sexes. The city has a large wholesale trade, the staples being cotton and tobacco; while its manufactures, which are rapidly extending, include cotton, flour, oil, paper, furniture, timber, leather, iron, and spirits. Founded in 1780, Nashville became the legal capital in 1843. In December 1864 the Confederates under Hood were completely defeated here by General Thomas. Pop. (1870) 25,865; (1880) 43,350; (1890) 76,169.