Posted in Nashville
August 26, 2019
Nashville’s Abandoned Cornelia Fort Airpark Is A Fascinating Piece Of History
Nashville is being built up fairly quickly, with old buildings getting knocked down to make way for new developments and businesses across town. Although expansion is always exciting, it’s also a bit sad. The city is losing its historical core, and it’s places like East Nashville’s Cornelia Fort Airpark that keeps the heart of what once was alive. If you haven’t been, this abandoned airpark in Nashville is well worth the experience.
Most folks are aware of the Cornelia Fort Airpark due to the spades of millennials posting Instagram photos of its eerie, empty runway. Its actual history is much more incredible than a few shots on social media.
The airpark is named after Cornelia Fort, the first female pilot to die on duty in American history. She grew up in Tennessee, and the airpark was built in the 1940s, not far from her family's Tennessee farm.
The airport itself operated from 1945 until 2011, and it now stands as a testament to the past and a facet of Shelby Park in East Nashville.
All airpark operations were abandoned in the wake of the 1,000 year flood in 2010. After Nashville was inundated with flood water, the airpark officially closed in 2011. Perhaps one of the most interesting facets of Cornelia Fort Airpark history is its connection to the death of famed country singers Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas.
Their ill-fated flight from Fairfax Airport in Kansas City on March 5, 1963 was bound for Nashville's Cornelia Fort Airpark. Instead, after the pilot lost control due to rough weather, the plane crashed 90 miles from its destination in Camden, Tennessee.
On a light hearted note, the Cornelia Fort Pickin' Party is hosted every summer, a community event series that hosts bluegrass bands as well as local craft beer and food stands. Folks are encouraged to bring their own instruments (it gets folks a free drink!), with tickets starting at a mere $5. All proceeds go towards the renovation of the airpark.
You can choose to wander the airpark with a friend or perhaps head on over to the Pickin' Party this summertime. This spot is bursting with history, and deserves a beautiful afternoon. Address: 2640 Airpark Drive, Nashville, TN 37206
If you’re looking for more information on the Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party, make sure to check out the official Facebook page.
