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

Vanderbilt University Gateposts

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, January 15, 2023

1. Vanderbilt University Gateposts Marker

Inscription. These stone gateposts date back to the earliest days of the Vanderbilt University campus (c.1875). They supported iron gates allowing entrance through a board fence which surrounded the university grounds. The whitewashed fence, crossed by several stiles, preserved a sense of privacy while excluding free-range livestock common in the area at the time. This pair of posts which supported the Central Avenue gate is the only remaining of three such entrances to the early campus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 36° 8.893′ N, 86° 47.985′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Midtown. It is at the intersection of 21st Avenue South and Broadway, on the right when traveling south on 21st Avenue South. Marker is on the ground next to the right post. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 21st Ave S, Nashville TN 37212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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: Cornelius Vanderbilt (approx. 0.2 miles away); Governors' Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vanderbilt University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scarritt College for Christian Workers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wallace University School

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¼ mile away); Disciples of Christ Historical Society (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint Thomas Hospital (approx. ¼ mile away); Centennial Celebration of Scarritt in Nashville (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Also see . . . History: Water oak by the gateposts. Vanderbilt students, faculty, staff and visitors passed by the tree as they went through the university's main entrance. (Vanderbilt University Arboretum) (Submitted on January 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, January 15, 2023

2. Vanderbilt University Gateposts Marker

Vanderbilt University Main Gate image. Click for full size.

via Tennessee State Library & Archives (Public Domain), circa 1900

3. Vanderbilt University Main Gate

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 370 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.