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

Edwin W. Craig

(1893-1969)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 4, 2020

1. Edwin W. Craig Marker

Inscription. Nashville insurance executive Edwin W. Craig launched radio station WSM on October 5, 1925 and made plans for a radio program called the "Barn Dance,” which first aired on November 28, 1925. WSM program director George D. Hay renamed the "Barn Dance” the "Grand Ole Opry" on December 10, 1927. Until October 1934, the Grand Ole Opry was performed and broadcast here in the National Life and Accident Insurance office building that once stood on this site.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 230.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 5, 1925.

Location. 36° 9.821′ N, 86° 47.026′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Downtown. It is on 7th Avenue North just north of Union Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Women of Tennessee During the War Between the States Commemoration (a few steps from this marker); War Memorial Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); James K. Polk (within shouting distance of this marker); Tennessee Tower (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Votes for Women (about 300 feet away); Purple Heart Medal (about 300 feet away); American Merchant Marine Veterans (about 300 feet away); Still on Patrol (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 4, 2020

2. Edwin W. Craig Marker

Sanborn Map of Seventh Avenue N. and Union Avenue in Nashville image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Robertson, March 1, 2017

3. Sanborn Map of Seventh Avenue N. and Union Avenue in Nashville

Headquarters of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company from the 1920s through the early 1970s.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 742 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 16, 2025, by William Robertson of Nashville, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.