Here Are Some Of The Very First Photos Ever Taken Of Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee has made quite a name for itself in contemporary society. It's the "Hollywood of the South," the famed "Music City," the home of the Predators hockey team, where you head in June for CMA Fest and the newly minted homeland of hot chicken. No matter where the city is now, it had to start somewhere, and these historic photos of our grand and great home are a true blast from the past. Check them out below, and slip back in time. We all need an escape every once in a while, and there's nothing like experiencing Music City as it once was. Leave your thoughts on how the city has changed in the comments below!

The Sulphur Dell Baseball Field doesn't exist in Nashville any longer, since it was demolished in 1969.

It did, however, operate as the city's baseball field from its inception in 1870 until its eventual demolition. Here, you can see the damage it sustained in the Nashville Flood of 1937.

This photo dates all the way back to the spring of 1856!

It depicts the aftermath of a fire at the building known as Mr. Anthony's Factory.

Have you ever seen the interior of a true blue saloon?

Here, you can see the interior of the Southern Turf Saloon on 4th Avenue. This photo was taken sometime before 1920.

Nashville used to have a streetcar system that ran throughout the city.

This photo was taken of a streetcar on Buchanan Street in 1907.

This photograph was supposedly taken around 1900.

It depicts the historic Nashville Federal Building.

Back in the day, the homes in Nashville weren't all tall-and-skinny. (If you know, you know!)

Here, you can see a block house in Nashville. This photo is dated around 1864.

The courthouse looked a bit different back in 1900.

Nashville's downtown has since been built up around the historic blueprint of the city.

Can you recognize the famous building in this photograph?

You're right! It's the state capitol in 1901.

This old photograph dates back to 1864!

This building was served as the hospital for federal officers in Nashville, Tennessee.

This old fortified bridge in the city of Nashville looks a bit medieval, doesn't it?

This photograph was taken in 1864.

Fisk University looks a little bit different today, doesn't it?

This photograph of a class in-session was taken around the turn of the century, in 1900.

Here's the Parthenon, before the rest of Centennial Park was built up around it.

This photograph was taken in 1900.

It's shocking how different and yet the same Union Station looks.

Now it's situated in the heart of a bustling downtown. When this photo was taken in 1900, it was one of the tallest buildings in the area.

Good ol' Vanderbilt University in 1901.

It remains a pinnacle of education in the city, with a reputation known around the nation.

A view of Nashville in 1964.

What we would give to have such wide open spaces in the city nowadays!

We love you, dear Nashville.

We loved you in 1864, and we will continue to love your ever-changing cityscape.

The history of Nashville is pretty incredible and deep, and you can learn all about it right here.