Watkins Park in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Marathon Motor Works

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2020

1. Marathon Motor Works Marker

Inscription. This Italianate-style 1881 factory first housed the Nashville Cotton Mills, which built the middle section c. 1885. It became Phoenix Cotton Mills in 1894. In 1910 Southern Motor Works of Jackson, Tenn. moved in, becoming Marathon Motor Works in 1911. The final portion of the plant and an elegant office and showroom across Clinton St. were built in 1912. Marathon made vehicles in Jackson (1907-1910) and here (1910-1914). It operated as a parts and service business until 1918.

In 1906. Willlam H. Collier, engineer at Southern Engine and Boiler Works in Jackson, Tenn. designed the "Southern” car, renamed “Marathon" after a 1909 contest. Marathon Motor Works' roadsters, touring cars, coupes, limousines, and trucks were sold worldwide with four-cyl, engines ranging from 20-45 hp. The "Marathon” was the first car entirely manufactured in the South. In 1986, Barry L. Walker began redeveloping the complex into a creative community called Marathon Village.

Erected 2019 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 194.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce

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• Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 36° 9.877′ N, 86° 47.747′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Watkins Park. Marker is on Clinton Street just west of 12th Avenue North, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1320 Clinton St, Nashville TN 37203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marathon Motor Car (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Watkins Park (approx. ¼ mile away); The Fisk Jubliee Singers (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Alfred Stieglitz Collection at Fisk University (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Frankie Pierce Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Marshall Keeble (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pearl High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bethlehem Centers of Nashville (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2020

2. Marathon Motor Works Marker

Reverse side

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 2, 2023

3. Marathon Motor Works Marker

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, January 2, 2023

4. Marathon Motor Works Marker

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 28, 2020

5. Marathon Motor Works Marker

The original 1881 building in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 5. submitted on April 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.