Hadley Park in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Club Baron
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2020
1. Club Baron Marker
Jefferson Street developed as a vibrant African-American commercial district in the late-19th and early-20th century. As Fisk University, Tenn. A&I (Tenn. State Univ.) and Meharry Medical College grew, more restaurants, shops and music venues opened to cater to nearby residents. Built in 1955 during the golden age of Jefferson Street's music scene (1935-65), Club Baron is the only extant nightclub from that time. Owned by local pharmacist Jackson H. Brown, the building also served as a secondary location for Brown's Pharmacy, as well as the only skating rink in town for African Americans. The club is best known as the site of a 1963 guitar duel where Nashville bluesman Johnny Jones bested up-and-comer Jimi Hendrix. Other well-known performers included Fats Domino, Etta James, Little Richard, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, Jackie Wilson and Ruth McFadden. Now owned by the Elks Lodge, the building was preserved as a local Historic Landmark in 2016.
Erected 2019 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 193.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music •
this page online
Location. 36° 10.084′ N, 86° 49.087′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Hadley Park. Marker is on Jefferson Street, 0.1 miles west of 26th Avenue North, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2617 Jefferson St, Nashville TN 37208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Students of Tennessee State University and the Civil Rights Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Churches of Jefferson Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson St. Music Scene (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tennessee State University Athletics (about 600 feet away); Club Del Morocco (about 700 feet away); Tennessee State University (approx. 0.2 miles away); John A. Merritt (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hadley Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2020
2. Club Baron Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 5, 2020
3. Club Baron Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 862 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 22, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
