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

Ryman Auditorium

Photographed by Luke Toussaint, March 18, 2026

1. Ryman Auditorium Marker

Inscription. The Union Gospel Tabernacle was built in 1892 after steamboat captain Thomas Ryman heard Rev. Sam P. Jones speak at a tent revival in 1885. Ryman commissioned architect Hugh C. Thompson to build the Gothic Revival church, which quickly became a place for secular and religious gatherings. After Ryman's death in 1904 it was renamed in his honor. Nicknamed the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the Ryman Auditorium was home to WSM's “Grand Ole Opry” from 1943-1974.

Erected 2019 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 20.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 36° 9.681′ N, 86° 46.736′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Downtown. It is on Rep. John Lewis Way North north of Broadway (Tennessee Road 24), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville TN 37219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Birth of Bluegrass (a few steps from this marker); Little Jimmy Dickens (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ryman Auditorium (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Green Ryman (about 400 feet away); John Robert Lewis (about 400 feet away); Pekka Rinne (about 500 feet away); William Walker (about 500 feet away); Downtown Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

More about this marker. It replaced the original marker installed in 1969. Although it is dated 2019, it actually was installed in 2022.

Also see . . . History. Timeline and photographs chronicling

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2022

2. Ryman Auditorium Marker

the iconic venue's 130-year history. (Ryman Auditorium) (Submitted on May 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2022

3. Ryman Auditorium Marker

Ryman Auditorium image. Click for full size.

Jim Rhodes via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

4. Ryman Auditorium

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 658 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 19, 2026, by Luke Toussaint of Glenview, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 29, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.