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

Vine Hill / Donau

629 Benton Ave.

Vine Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Mertie, April 1, 2022

1. Vine Hill Marker

Inscription. Vine Hill
629 Benton Ave. William J. Gerst (of the Wm. Gerst Brewing Co.) purchased the Vine Hill estate in 1900 from Capt. John W. Morton for $14,195. In 1905 Gerst built a three-story barn and started rearing thoroughbreds. The local brewer/turfman’s prize horse, Donau, would win the Kentucky Derby in 1910.

The family sold the estate in 1941 to make way for Vultee Aircraft’s employee housing. The home was used as a community center for soldiers during WWII and later razed for government housing.

Donau William Gerst purchased the young thoroughbred from a Lexington, KY stud farm in 1908 for $350 and named him Donau after the Danube River. In 1910, jockey Fred Herbert rode Donau to victory at the Kentucky Derby. Gerst stated, "Donau has the speed of a sprinter, the courage of a bulldog, and the gameness of a fighting cock!" Donau died in 1912 and was buried in an unmarked grave near the south side of the Vine Hill Farm.

Erected 2021 by Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. Donated by the Mertie Family. (Marker Number 241.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 36°

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7.896′ N, 86° 46.113′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Bransford Avenue. Marker is at the intersection of Bransford Avenue and Benton Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Bransford Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cumberland Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Waverly Place (approx. 0.6 miles away); Captain John Rains (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battle of Nashville (approx. 0.7 miles away); Merritt House (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Steam Locomotive (approx. 0.8 miles away); United Record Pressing (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on Donau (1907–1913) - American Thoroughbred racehorse. (Submitted on April 6, 2022.)
2. Brewed in Dixie.

Brewed in Dixie is devoted to Nashville's brewing history by sponsoring beer and brewery related historical markers, beer style and brewery historical lectures, and actively participating in various breweriana collectible organizations.

(Submitted on July 11, 2022, by Scott Mertie of Nashville, Tennessee.)

Donau - 1910 KY Derby Winner image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Mertie, April 5, 2022

2. Donau - 1910 KY Derby Winner

The historical marker recognizing Donau, the 1910 Kentucky Derby winner owned by William Gerst and trained at his Vine Hill Estate.

Vine Hill and Donau Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Scott Mertie, March 31, 2022

3. Vine Hill and Donau Marker

Photographed By Scott Mertie

4. Donau - 1910 KY Derby Winner

The historical marker recognizing Donau, the 1910 Kentucky Derby winner owned by William Gerst and trained at his Vine Hill Estate. Pictured are Scott Mertie, author of Nashville Brewing, and John Ritter, great, great grandson of William Gerst.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2022, by Scott Mertie of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 4, 2022, by Scott Mertie of Nashville, Tennessee. 2. submitted on April 5, 2022, by Scott Mertie of Nashville, Tennessee. 3. submitted on April 4, 2022, by Scott Mertie of Nashville, Tennessee. 4. submitted on April 5, 2022, by Scott Mertie of Nashville, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.