Midtown in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Vanderbilt University
Photographed By Tom Gillard, December 11, 2009
1. Vanderbilt University Marker
Inscription.
Vanderbilt University. . An independent, privately supported university founded 1873 by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, New York shipping and railway magnate, who gave $1,000,000 to start the university and expressed his wish that it should "contribute to strengthening the ties which should exist between all geographical sections of our common country."
An independent, privately supported university founded 1873 by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, New York shipping & railway magnate, who gave $1,000,000 to start the university & expressed his wish that it should "contribute to strengthening the ties which should exist between all geographical sections of our common country."
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 51.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 36° 8.951′ N, 86° 48.2′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Midtown. Marker is on West End Avenue (U.S. 70 Spur), on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Cornelius Vanderbilt. (Submitted on December 13, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Tom Gillard, December 11, 2009
2. Vanderbilt University
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2015
3. Cornelius Vanderbilt
This 1846 portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt by Nathaniel Jocelyn hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington,DC.
‘The Commodore,’ as he was dubbed for his domination of waterborne transportation, Cornelius Vanderbilt created one of the first great fortunes and business dynasties in American history. He began in the rough-and-tumble world of the New York port and by 1829 had parlayed several small shipping ventures into a stake in the lucrative Hudson River trade. He branched out to dominate the New England trade and seaborne travel to San Francisco. He next moved into railroads, eventually gaining control of the industry from New York to western Canada. Vanderbilt was a ruthless monopolist, driving out his competitors through rate wars, political muscle, and hostile takeovers. But in organizing America's fragmented transportation system, he facilitated national expansion and created the infrastructure on which an expanding economy could build.” — National Portrait Gallery
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,052 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2009, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. 3. submitted on September 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.