Bordeaux Area in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Bordeaux Community and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge/Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2020
1. The Bordeaux Community and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge Marker
The Bordeaux Community and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge
In 1866, Dr. M. O. Randall applied for a post office in this area, but the community needed a name. Having just returned from a trip to France, he named it Bordeaux. In 1889, Bordeaux had the first bridge to cross the Cumberland in the northwest Nashville area. In 1917, that bridge was replaced with a new one called the Bordeaux Bridge. In 1978, the Tennessee General Assembly approved a bond for the replacement of the Bordeaux Bridge to accommodate increased traffic. Officials named the replacement link the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge
On April 20, 1960, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Nashville and spoke to those gathered at Fisk University. He said, "I came to Nashville not to bring inspiration but to gain inspiration from the great movement in this community.” He applauded the Nashville Sit-in Movement. King's message affirmed that the movement was not "merely a demand for eating places but a demand to be somebody, a demand for respect." The Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge opened in 1980 and allowed motorists to cross the Cumberland River into Bordeaux and the Northwest Community.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 36° 11.528′ N, 86° 49.744′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in the Bordeaux Area. Marker is at the intersection of Clarksville Pike (Alternate U.S. 41) and Cliff Drive, on the right when traveling south on Clarksville Pike. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 Clarksville Pike, Nashville TN 37218, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Theodore "Ted" Rhodes (approx. 0.6 miles away); Zephaniah Alexander Looby (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Temple Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Samuel Watkins (approx. 1.3 miles away); Buena Vista Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Engine Company No. 11 (approx. 1.4 miles away); North Nashville High School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Coach Ed Temple (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, May 29, 2021
2. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge Marker side
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2020
3. The Bordeaux Community and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge/Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 143 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on June 23, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on June 23, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
