College Heights/Clifton in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Preston Taylor
Minister, Entrepreneur, and Business Leader
— 1849-1931 —
(side 1)
Preston Taylor was born a slave on November 7, 1849 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He served as a drummer boy in the Union Army during the siege of Richmond, Virginia. After the Civil War, he secured a contract to build several sections of the Big Sandy Railway from Mt. Sterling to Richmond, Virginia. Taylor came to Nashville around 1884 and three years later purchased thirty-seven acres of land at Elm Hill Pike and Spence Lane. A year later, he established Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville's second oldest cemetery for African-Americans.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission . (Marker Number 3A 177.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil.
Location. 36° 9.439′ N, 86° 49.872′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in College Heights/Clifton. Marker is at the intersection of Clifton Avenue and 39th Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Clifton Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3900 Clifton Ave, Nashville TN 37209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tennessee Baptist Orphans' Home (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cavalry Action (Dec 15, 1864) (approx. half a mile away); TSU's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lt William McBryar, Buffalo Soldier (approx. 0.7 miles away); National Negro High School Basketball Tournament (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sykes Field (approx. 0.7 miles away); Tennessee State University (approx. ¾ mile away); Charlotte Road (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.