Historic districts in Tennessee
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| Historic districts in Tennessee | |
|---|---|
| Name | Historic districts in Tennessee |
| Caption | Historic streetscape in downtown Franklin, Tennessee |
| Location | Tennessee |
| Established | Various (19th–21st centuries) |
| Governing body | National Park Service, Tennessee Historical Commission, local historic commissions |
Historic districts in Tennessee are concentrated areas recognized for concentrations of architecturally, culturally, and historically significant buildings and sites across Tennessee. These districts include urban and rural ensembles in cities like Nashville, Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, and small towns such as Franklin, Tennessee and Jonesborough, Tennessee. Many districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or protected by local ordinances administered by county and municipal commissions.
Overview
Historic districts in Tennessee encompass a variety of typologies including commercial corridors like Beale Street Historic District, residential neighborhoods such as Germantown, Tennessee and Belmont Mansion Historic District, industrial complexes like Cotton Mills (various) and transportation-related ensembles including the Chattanooga Choo Choo rail yards and stations associated with Southern Railway (U.S.) and Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. Districts often intersect with sites affiliated with figures like Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, Davy Crockett, and events such as the Battle of Franklin (1864), the Battle of Shiloh, and the Trail of Tears routes. Stewardship is shared among federal entities like the National Park Service, state bodies like the Tennessee Historical Commission, and local preservation groups such as the Tennessee Preservation Trust.
History and development
Development of historic districts in Tennessee accelerated after passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the establishment of the National Register of Historic Places. Early registrations featured landmarks tied to antebellum plantations such as Belle Meade Plantation and civic centers like Courthouse Square (many counties), while later efforts recognized African American heritage sites including Rosenwald Schools and districts linked to the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis, Tennessee and Nashville, Tennessee. Preservation campaigns connected to personalities like Andrew Johnson and Sam Davis prompted local conservation, while disasters such as the Great Fire of 1871 in various communities and the Tornado outbreak of 1933 influenced rebuilding patterns. Historic district designation has been shaped by federal programs, state tax incentives, and local ordinances modeled after precedents in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.
Notable historic districts by region
- West Tennessee: Beale Street Historic District in Memphis, Tennessee, Cotton Row Historic District, South Main Street Historic District (Memphis), Tate Historic District, and districts tied to Elvis Presley landmarks such as Sun Studio and Graceland environs. - Middle Tennessee: Downtown Nashville Historic District, Germantown Historic District (Nashville), Belle Meade Historic District, Franklin Historic District (Franklin, Tennessee), Historic Germantown, Natchez Trace Parkway-adjacent sites reflecting Andrew Jackson era landscapes. - East Tennessee: Market Square Historic District (Knoxville), Old City (Knoxville), Jonesborough Historic District, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum-related ensembles, and communities preserving Appalachian heritage tied to Davy Crockett and Andrew Johnson National Historic Site. - Rural and small-town districts: Courthouse squares in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Pulaski, Tennessee, Dandridge, Tennessee, and tobacco- and textile-centered districts like those in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Each district frequently intersects with sites such as State Capitol (Nashville), Ryman Auditorium, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and battlefield parks like Shiloh National Military Park.
Criteria and designation processes
Designation pathways include listing on the National Register of Historic Places, local historic zoning by municipal commissions, and recognition through state programs administered by the Tennessee Historical Commission. Criteria reference associations with significant persons such as Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk, architectural significance involving styles like Greek Revival architecture in Tennessee, Victorian architecture, Federal architecture, and works by architects linked to McKim, Mead & White-era influence or local builders. Integrity assessments examine factors from the Historic American Buildings Survey documentation to archaeological resources tied to Mississippian culture and antebellum landscapes. Tax credits under state and federal rehabilitation programs, informed by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, incentivize adaptive reuse of properties related to railroad and industrial heritage.
Preservation efforts and legal protections
Legal protections include local historic overlay districts enforced by municipal historic zoning commissions, easements held by organizations such as the Tennessee Historical Commission and non-profits like the Historic Nashville, Inc. and the Memphis Heritage group. Preservation funding streams involve the Historic Tax Credit programs, state grants, and philanthropic support from entities like the Tennessee Arts Commission when districts feature cultural institutions such as Ryman Auditorium or Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Advocacy campaigns have mobilized around contested projects involving developers, transport agencies such as Tennessee Department of Transportation, and federal undertakings under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act where Section 106 reviews consider effects on districts.
Tourism and economic impact
Historic districts drive tourism centered on attractions like Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Graceland, Beale Street, and battlefield parks such as Shiloh National Military Park and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Heritage tourism supports hospitality sectors represented by institutions like the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association and local chambers of commerce, stimulates investment in rehabilitation projects, and fosters events at venues like Ryman Auditorium and festivals tied to Nashville and Memphis cultural calendars. Economic impacts include increased property values in districts like Franklin, Tennessee, job creation in restoration trades, and growth in small businesses occupying rehabilitated storefronts in districts such as South Main (Memphis) and Market Square (Knoxville).