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

Hell’s Half Acre

By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 21, 2020

1. Hell’s Half Acre

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

North and west of the State Capitol was an area city reformers called "Hell's Half Acre." Home to immigrants and free and enslaved Blacks, it was a part of a red-light district before, during and after the Civil War. Line St. (now Jo Johnston Ave.) included brothels, bars and secret gambling houses, but the area was also home to a rich African-American culture. Razed as part of the Capitol Hill redevelopment plan in the 1950s, its residents relocated to other parts of the city.

Erected 2019 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 190.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil.

Location. 36° 10.11′ N, 86° 47.119′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. Marker is at the intersection of James Robertson Parkway (U.S. 31) and 6th Avenue North, in the median on James Robertson Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Two Governors, Two Governments (about 500 feet away, measured

Hell’s Half Acre Marker image. Click for full size.

By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 21, 2020

2. Hell’s Half Acre Marker

in a direct line); Tomb of James Knox Polk (about 800 feet away); Holy Rosary Cathedral (approx. 0.2 miles away); Baseball in Civil War Nashville (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Strickland 1788-1864 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Coach Ed Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); Founding of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Andrew Jackson (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 21, 2020

3. Hell’s Half Acre

By Darren Jefferson Clay, November 21, 2020

4. Hell’s Half Acre Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 21, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.