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

Walden College

1922-1925

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, January 15, 2023

1. Walden College Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1865 as Central Tennessee College for freedmen, the college was later named Walden University and finally Walden College, which stood on these grounds from 1922 to 1925. While here, Walden College served as a normal school for teacher education and preparatory college in several areas. including pre-dental and pre-medical fields. Walden equipped students for Meharry Medical College. An important contribution to Nashville as the Athens of the South, Walden College closed in 1929.

Erected 2022 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 157.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 36° 8.524′ N, 86° 45.201′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in South Nashville. Marker is at the intersection of Lester Avenue and Hart Street, on the right when traveling south on Lester Avenue. Marker is by the original Mackey Library on the Trevecca Nazarene University campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 71 Lester Ave, Nashville TN 37210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mount Ararat Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away);

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St. Patrick Catholic Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); James Carroll Napier (approx. 0.6 miles away); Captain John Rains (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battle of Nashville (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dudley Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Tom Wilson Park / Thomas T. Wilson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Granbury’s Lunette (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Regarding Walden College. Trevecca Nazarene University has occupied the former Walden College site since 1935.

Also see . . .
1. Central Tennessee College is Founded. It was financially supported by Samuel Meharry and his four brothers, Scots-Irish immigrants who became philanthropists. (African American Registry) (Submitted on January 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Walden University (Tennessee). Wikipedia entry on the educational institution, whose notable alumni include the first African American to present an oral argument before the Supreme Court. (Submitted on January 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, January 15, 2023

2. Walden College Marker

Central Tennessee College image. Click for full size.

Afro-American Encyclopaedia, James T. Haley (ed.) via Internet Archive, 1895

3. Central Tennessee College

The Meharry Medical Department (inset) later became Meharry Medical College, which continues to operate long after its parent institution closed.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.