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

Werthan Bag Company

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 23, 2025

1. Werthan Bag Company Marker

Inscription.
Begun in 1871, the Tennessee Manufacturing Company was the largest nineteenth century cotton mill in the area. The complex was purchased by Warioto Cotton Mills, then Morgan and Hamilton and finally by Werthan Bag Company in 1928. Employing thousands, Werthan Bag had a major impact on the development of North Nashville and the city's economy. Industrial use of the historic buildings continued until 1998 when Werthan Packaging sold this property for residential development.

Meier Werthan
Werthan Bag & Burlap Company Meier Werthan, born in 1843, was a German immigrant who settled in Nashville. He started his business as a rag dealer in 1868. Over time, his business evolved and prospered. By the time of Meier's death in 1914, it was known as the Werthan Bag & Burlap Company.

Source:
The text for this historical marker was provided by Anthony L. Werthan. The hand-drawn line art depiction of Meier Werthan was contributed by William E. Kantz Jr. and is inspired by a portrait.

Erected 2025 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 267.)

Topics. This

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historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 36° 10.696′ N, 86° 47.675′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Germantown. It is at the intersection of Rosa L Parks Boulevard and Cheatham Pl, on the right when traveling north on Rosa L Parks Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1350 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville TN 37208, 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: Freeland's Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Germantown (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buena Vista School / School Desegregation in Nashville "Nashville Plan" Schools

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 23, 2025

2. Werthan Bag Company Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); George & Nathan “Nearest” Green & Jack Daniels (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson St. Music Scene (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fountain of Youth (approx. ¼ mile away); Centenary Methodist Institute (approx. ¼ mile away); Morgan Park History (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Werthan Bag Company Marker (to the right and behind the yellow pole) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 23, 2025

3. Werthan Bag Company Marker (to the right and behind the yellow pole)

One of the buildings of the Werthan Bag Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 23, 2025

4. One of the buildings of the Werthan Bag Company

Another building of the Werthan Bag Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 23, 2025

5. Another building of the Werthan Bag Company

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 638 times since then and 228 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 23, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.