Here are our top 5 favorite fun facts about Music City!
1. The French Lick
Before Nashville was established as Fort Nashbourough by John Donelson and James Robertson the area was called the French Lick. The trading post was established close to present-day downtown Nashville.
French-Canadian traders mainly traded with Native Americans. There was plenty of furs to be had due to the natural salt spring which attracted wild animals.
2. Hot Chicken
Have you heard about Nashville hot chicken? Well, it all started here in the 1930s in Nashville. One night Thornton Prince came home too late and his girlfriend wanted to seek a little revenge for staying out too late. She prepared fried chicken for him but seasoned it with extra hot herbs and spices. However, Prince thought the spicy chicken was delicious!
Soon after Prince along with his brothers created their own recipe and sold it at his own restaurant called the BBQ Chicken Shack. You can still visit Prince's Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville today owned by Prince's great niece Andre Prince Jeffries.
There is even a Hot Chicken Festival every year on the 4th of July in East Nashville.
3. Andrew Jackson's Driveway
Our 7th President Andrew Jackson may have predicted Nashville's love for music. He designed the driveway to his home at the Hermitage to impress his daughter-in-law Emily in 1837. Now guitars can be seen all over Nashville!
You can visit The Hermitage to see the tree-lined driveway for yourself just outside of Nashville.
4. Catchy Tunes of Nashville
Ever dance the "Bunny Hop" at a wedding? Remember doing the "Hokey Pokey" from school? Do you enjoy "Jingle Bell Rock" during the Christmas holidays?
All three of these crowd favorites were recorded right here in Nashville. Both the "Bunny Hop" and the "Hokey Pokey" were recorded at the Ryman Auditorium.
Bobby Helms first recorded "Jingle Bell Rock" in 1957 and was an instant hit. Today it is a very popular Christmas song.
5. Batman Building
The AT&T Building is a skyscraper in downtown Nashville nicknamed "The Batman Building" by locals. The two tall towers on each side resemble the ears of Batman's mask. The landmark is now featured on Tennessee driver's licenses. It is the tallest building in the entire state and even boasts a three-story garden atrium.
The best place to view the Batman Building is from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. This footbridge connects downtown Nashville to East Nashville and crosses the Cumberland River. It is actually one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world.
Want to learn more fun facts about Nashville?
Join us for a tour with Puppet City Tours where we explore several landmarks and tell many more stories and fun facts about Nashville!