Posted in Nashville January 26, 2023 by

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 Cornelia Fort Airpark in Nashville that keeps the heart of what once was alive. If you haven’t been, this abandoned airpark in Nashville is well worth the experience.

Wikipedia
Most folks are aware of the Cornelia 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.
Wikipedia
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.
raze38015 - GoogleMaps
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.
Chris Peralta/ Google
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.
Kent Garner - GoogleMaps
Their ill-fated flight from Fairfax Airport in Kansas City on March 5, 1963 was bound for Nashville's Cornelia Airpark Instead, after the pilot lost control due to rough weather, the plane crashed 90 miles from its destination in Camden, Tennessee.
GoogleMaps
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 at very reasonable prices. All proceeds go towards the renovation of the abandoned airport in Nashville.
Derek Madeiros - GoogleMaps
You can choose to wander the airpark in Nashville 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

Have you been to the Cornelia Airpark? Do you want to visit more abandoned places in Nashville?

If you’re looking for more information on the Cornelia Fort Pickin’ Party, make sure to check out the official Facebook page.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Cornelia Fort Airport, 1199 Shadow Ln #1093, Nashville, TN 37206, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Airpark In Nashville

June 11, 2022
Libby Monson

Are there any abandoned towns near Nashville?

One of the most compeling stories of an abandoned place near Nashville is the town of Old Jefferson.

The mystery of abandoned places in Nashville can capture the imagination. The abandoned town of Old Jefferson is undoubtedly a mystery worthy of some investigation. In 1963 the residents of Old Jefferson were told that their homes would be underwater after a dam was constructed as part of the Percy Priest Lake initiative. The land was purchased, and the town was burned to the ground. But mysteriously, when the dam was finished, the water drained into hidden caves in Long Hunter State Park, sparing what was once Old Jefferson.

Are there any abandoned places in Nashville I can hike to?

One of the best hikes to an abandoned place is in Big South Fork to an old abandoned town called No Business.

An abandoned village is hidden deep in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. You can attempt to hike to it, but like many of the abandoned places in Nashville, it isn't on the official park map. The town of No Business was founded in 1796, and the final resident left town in 1960. Since then, nature has been making quick work of what is left of this tiny town. Legend has it, No Business can be found near the John Muir overlook. Follow a small horse trail as it meanders next to No Business Creek. Whether you find the abandoned town of No Business or not, you have a lovely hike in the beautiful Big South Fork National Recreation Area.

What are some of the weirdest places I can visit in Nashville?

Some of the weirdest places to visit in Nashville:

It's fun to visit strange, quirky places, and Nashville has plenty of them. From the abandoned airpark in Nashville to the burial place of James K. Polk, you can find something "weird" lurking in every part of town. For example, visit the only replica of the Parthenon in the world in Centennial Park. Or head to the Tomato Art Fest for a parade, food, and tomato art. Have fun discovering all the unusual spots in our great city!