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

Hadley Park

Photographed by R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

1. Hadley Park Marker - Front

Inscription. In 1912, Nashville officials purchased 34 acres of land to provide a public park for Negro citizens. Originally a part of the John L. Hadley plantation, Hadley Park was dedicated on July 4th. It is considered the first public park in the United States for African Americans. Named for either the pioneer African-American physician Dr. W. A. Hadley or John L. Hadley, supporter of freedmen after the Civil War, Hadley Park continues as a benchmark in the community's cultural heritage.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 151.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1895.

Location. 36° 9.975′ N, 86° 49.228′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Hadley Park. It is on 28th Ave. North near Meharry Blvd, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37209, 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: Patton House / John Thomas Patton (within shouting distance of this marker); John A. Merritt (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph "Yusef" Harris

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(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tennessee State University Athletics (about 600 feet away); Tennessee State University (about 700 feet away); Edward Stanley Temple (about 700 feet away); Students of Tennessee State University and the Civil Rights Movement (approx. 0.2 miles away); Club Baron (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Hadley Park Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007

2. Hadley Park Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,221 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.