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

Captain John Rains

1743-1834

Photographed by Shane Oliver, April 11, 2021

1. Captain John Rains Marker

Inscription. On Christmas Day 1779, John Rains led his family and livestock across the frozen Cumberland and settled in this vicinity. In 1784 he built a fort that enclosed this hill and the spring 75 yards east. At James Robertson's orders he often led a company of scouts against Indians. Rains made his home here until his death in 1834.

Erected 1968 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee, The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 25, 1779.

Location. 36° 8.346′ N, 86° 45.843′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in South Nashville. It is at the intersection of Rains Avenue and Merritt Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Rains Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Rains Ave, Nashville TN 37203, 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: First Steam Locomotive (approx. ¼ mile away); Central High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Merritt House (approx. ¼ mile away);

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Dudley Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Patrick Catholic Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tom Wilson Park / Thomas T. Wilson (approx. 0.4 miles away); May Hosiery Mills (approx. 0.4 miles away); United Record Pressing (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 29, 2020

2. Captain John Rains Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,636 times since then and 218 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.