How Did Nashville Become the Capital of Tennessee?
- 2 sections
- 1 table
- 3 sources cited
The legislature chose Nashville as the permanent capital on October 7, 1843, after years of moving the seat of government around, and Nashville won by one vote. Wikipedia’s history of Nashville says several towns across Tennessee were nominated and all received votes, but Nashville and Charlotte were the top contenders (Wikipedia). Before that, Kingston (for one day), Knoxville, and Murfreesboro had each served as the temporary capital. The deadline came from the state constitution, which Wikipedia dates to 1835 and the Tennessee Encyclopedia to 1834; it required the General Assembly to choose a permanent capital by 1843, and the October 7 decision came “after a week of intense debates” (Wikipedia). The city had already prepared the site. Nashville bought the hilltop known as Cedar Knob, later Campbell’s Hill, for $30,000 before the capital was chosen. It conveyed the land to the state for $1 on December 11, 1843.
From Wandering Capital to Statehouse
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 1796 | Tennessee becomes a state |
| before 1843 | Kingston (one day), Knoxville, and Murfreesboro serve as temporary capitals |
| 1834 or 1835 | the state constitution sets 1843 as the deadline for a permanent capital (the two sources date it differently) |
| October 7, 1843 | Nashville is chosen, winning by one vote over Charlotte and other nominees |
| December 11, 1843 | the city conveys Cedar Knob to the state for $1 |
| 1845 to 1859 | the Tennessee State Capitol is built, designed by William Strickland |
| 1853 | the General Assembly begins meeting in the building |
Sources: Wikipedia, History of Nashville, Tennessee, and Tennessee State Capitol; Tennessee Encyclopedia, capital cities.
The Capitol Building
- Design: a Greek Revival building modeled on an Ionic temple, by Philadelphia architect William Strickland, who considered it his greatest achievement.
- Who built it: skilled artisans along with convict and slave labor. In February 2025, the General Assembly passed a resolution honoring 15 enslaved craftsmen who helped build it.
- Who is buried there: Strickland, who died before it was finished, and Samuel Morgan, who led the construction commission, are entombed in its walls.
- Visiting: Tennessee State Museum staff lead guided tours of the building and grounds.
Nashville’s founding and its earlier names are in when Nashville was founded.