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

Cornelius Vanderbilt

Born May 27, 1794 - Died Jan. 4, 1877

— Founded Vanderbilt University March 17, 1878 —

 
 
Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 30, 2022
1. Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker
Inscription. Cornelius Vanderbilt

Born May 27.1794.

Founded Vanderbilt University Mch.17.1873.

Died Jan 4, 1877.

East panel:

"Mr. Vanderbilt has achieved a fame as enduring as the builder of the pyramids, so long as Tennessee shall remain free, and perhaps after the columns of the capitol have crumbled, will the university founded by him remain as evidence of his wisdom and greatness. Carrying his name to distant posterity, with as much of honor and immortality as is awarded to man."

Record of Tennessee General Assembly.

Jan. 6, 1877.

South panel:

Presented to Vanderbilt University May 27, 1837. By citizens of Nashville in honor of the generous founder whose broad patriotism had its highest expression in this institution of higher learning and whose name and memory will be forever cherished by the people of the South.

West panel:

"If Vanderbilt University shall, through its influence, contribute to strengthening the ties which should exist between all sections of our common country shall feel that it has accomplished one of the objects that led me to take an interest in it."

C.Vanderbilt Dec.2.1875.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public WorkEducation. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1878.
 
Location.
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36° 8.948′ N, 86° 48.172′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Midtown. It is on West End Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2109 West End Ave, 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: Vanderbilt University (within shouting distance of this marker); Governors' Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Rock Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vanderbilt University Gateposts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Thomas Hospital (approx. Ό mile away); Nashville Academy of Medicine (approx. Ό mile away); Wallace University School (approx. Ό mile away); Vanderbilt Memorial Gymnasium (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
 
Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 30, 2022
2. Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker
Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 30, 2022
3. Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker
Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 30, 2022
4. Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker
Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 30, 2022
5. Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker
Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, November 30, 2022
6. Cornelius Vanderbilt Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 16, 2026