Downtown in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Printer's Alley Garage
Historic Landmark
Photographed by Lugnuts, February 20, 2020
1. Printer's Alley Garage Marker
Noel Block
Nashville's first
Public Garage
Known as the "Mens Quarter"
in the late 1800s
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 36° 9.857′ N, 86° 46.673′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of Church Street and 3rd Avenue North, on the left when traveling west. This marker is located inside the entryway of the garage, on the left as you enter. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Church St, Nashville TN 37201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fourth and Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Banner Building (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Site of First Store (about 400 feet away); The Seeing Eye (about 500 feet away); Maxwell House Hotel (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named First Masonic Hall (about 600 feet away); William Walker (about 600 feet away); Gerst House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Other markers no longer nearby. Site of First Store (was about
this page online
Regarding Printer's Alley Garage. The Noel Block Garage was built in 1926 with a capacity of 320 cars on multiple levels. It was affiliated with the Noel Hotel and was the first parking garage in Nashville. The garage is on the National Register of Historic Places as a component of the Printer's Alley Historic District.
Printer's Alley is so named because at one time, there were thirteen publishers and ten printers located in the area. These companies did not front on Printer's Alley but the alley was the access point for deliveries. The area was laid out in the early 19th Century and by 1850, there were several newspapers, periodicals and religious documents printed here. The concerns were serviced by Black Horse Alley, which became better known as Printer's Alley.
The sign refers to the Men's District as part of the area became known. It was a one-block area with saloons, billiard parlors, furnishings, cigar and tobacco stores, barbershops, loan offices, bathhouses, and restaurants. It was a place where no respectable lady would ever be seen. Although the area
Photographed by Lugnuts, February 20, 2020
2. Printer's Alley Garage Marker
Entrance to the garage off Church Street. Note the clearance warning.
Photographed by Lugnuts, February 20, 2020
3. Entrance to the Printer's Alley Garage
Just beyond the arch is today's Noelle Hotel, the same building in which the old Noel Hotel was located.
Photographed by Lugnuts, February 20, 2020
4. Printer's Alley Garage Building
At the corner of Third Avenue and Church Street in Nashville.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2020, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 821 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 22, 2020, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
