Gypsy Road Trip

View of the Capitol building from Bicentennial State Park

An unexpected abundance of Tennessee history is located in Nashville just outside the Farmers’ Market near Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. This collection of strategically placed monuments appears in the historic French Lick, where Native Americans, trappers and settlers camped in those early days.

In 1997, Tennessee’s Bicentennial Celebration, planners noted that this was the best place to get an unobstructed view of the Tennessee Capitol Building. Then the planning began for preserving the state’s history in this nineteen acre park.

Its 95 Bell Carillon  plays a song of Patsy Cline, a favorite Tennessee daughter. “Crazy” rings out every hour. The bells represent the 95 counties of Tennessee as well as its musical legacy. A 96th bell rings in answer from the Capitol building symbolizing the government answering to the people.

Granite walls along Pathway of History

The Pathway of History displays 1400′ of granite stones engraved with memorable events and pictures in chronological order so you can easily follow the development of history for the last two centuries in Tennessee. The tall columns to the right indicate the date so you can see the accurate timeline.

Civil War section of the wall

The wall breaks at the time of the Civil War to show the impact it had on the state.

WWII Memorial to Tennessee military

A World War II Memorial lists Tennessee men and women who lost their lives fighting for our country during WWII. A gigantic 18,000 pound granite ball with a map of the world is supported by the water of the fountain.

Centennial Memorial

The Centennial Memorial stands in the center of the park. Beautiful trees stand in its center, surrounded with the words of Governor Bob Taylor when he greeted President McKinley during the 1897 Centennial Exposition.

“Our honored guests shall see today the triumphs of our brain and brawn and the tangible evidence of our activity. And some of them who saw our ruined country thirty years ago will certainly appreciate the fact that we have wrought miracles.”

A large outdoor Tennessee Amphitheater seats 2,000. Keeping with the Greek heritage of the Parthenon nearby, the amphitheater was designed with terraced lawns replicating the theater in Epidaurus.

Sliced Tomato metal art outside Farmers’ Market

The Nashville Farmers’ Market is along the edge of Bicentennial Park. This metal sculpture  of a sliced tomato draws everyone’s attention. Here you find a wide variety of popular local dishes as well as fresh fruits and vegetables in season. It’s a great place to visit for some real Tennessee treasures..

Tennessee History Walk

Every state has a story to tell and Tennessee history is certainly being kept alive along this Pathway of History in its capital, Nashville. It’s a great place to stroll through history.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is less than two miles from I-24E in Nashville. Take Exit 47 for 1st Street South, which leads to Jefferson Avenue. After crossing over the beautiful Cumberland River, make a left turn on 6th Street. The park will be on your right. Enjoy a trip through Tennessee History.