Shopping at Harvey's. Roller skating at the Hippodrome. The nativity scene at the Parthenon. Cascade Plunge. Take a look back at what life was like in Nashville during the 50s and 60s in Memories of Nashville, an original production of Nashville Public Television.
Christmas
Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas parade in downtown Nashville started in 1952 and is still a holiday tradition.
Christmas Tree Display
Loveman's department store, located on the corner of Union and Fifth, lights up for the holidays.
Harvey's Nativity Scene
Fred Harvey, Sr., pictured here with Mayor Ben West, presented the Nativity Scene to the city of Nashville in 1953.
Nativity Scene at The Parthenon
Nashville's Nativity Scene, assembled annually at the Parthenon from 1953-1967, was created by Italian-born sculptor Guido Rebechini.
Santa at Harvey's
The "real" Santa could be seen at Harvey's downtown store during the holidays.
Downtown
Cain Sloan
Cain-Sloan, the place where old Nashville shopped, is fondly remembered for its Bunnyland displays and its "White Gloves and Party Manners" classes for young ladies.
Harvey's
Nashvillians hunt for bargains at Harvey's department store downtown in October, 1954.
Harvey's Monkey Bar
Harvey's Monkey Bar was named for the monkeys that actually resided in the restaurant for a short time.
Loew's Theater
Downtown Nashville was the center of entertainment in the 50s and 60s.
Maxwell House
President Teddy Roosevelt visited the Maxwell House Hotel in 1907 and declared that its coffee was "good to the last drop."
Printers Alley
Printers Alley was a popular place to wet your whistle before liquor by the ounce was adopted in 1967.
Tennessee Theater
All the first run movies debuted in downtown theaters.
Social Changes
Civil Rights Movement
The protest marches and the sit-ins that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's led to many arrests in Nashville.
Jefferson Street Business
African American-owned businesses, such as this diner, thrived on Jefferson Street in the years before desegregation.
Legalizing Liquor
In August 1967, a long line stretched out of the Metropolitan courthouse as citizens waited to register for the September 28 vote on legalizing liquor by the ounce.
Merger of Metro and City Governments/ Briley
Metro Nashville's new mayor, Beverly Briley, removes an old city limits sign after voters approved merging Davidson County and the city of Nashville in 1962.
Merger of Metro and City Governments/ Support
Not everyone supported the formation of a Metropolitan Government, as revealed by this picture of city councilman Gene "Little Evil" Jacobs' house in 1962.
Student Marches
In the mid-1960s, blacks and whites marched together down Jefferson Street in an act of solidarity.
Sports and Recreation
Rollerskating
Rollerskating became popular with many young Nashvillians who learned to skate at the Hippodrome on West End Avenue.
ROTC Band
The ROTC Band performs at TSU's homecoming parade in 1953.
Sledding Fun
Frozen fun on Lake Wautaga in Centennial Park, February 1958.
Sulphur Dell Park
Originally called Sulphur Springs Bottoms because of the sulphur springs located nearby, the park was renamed "Sulphur Dell" by Tennessean sports writer Grantland Rice.
TSU's Majorettes
TSU's Majorettes were featured as part of the half-time activities during the Thanksgiving Day game against Kentucky State in 1953.
Vols
The Nashville VOLS, predecessor to the Nashville Sounds, played in the Southern Association League for over 60 years, starting in 1901.
Summertime
Cascade Plunge - High Dive 1963
Cascade Plunge, located at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, was Nashville's largest public swimming pool, measuring 200 x 80 feet.
Cascade Plunge
These boys could hardly wait to jump in the pool after school closed for the weekend in May, 1958.
Fair Park
Fair Park, located on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, opened its gates in 1952 and delighted visitors for 35 years.
Hadley Park
Kids enjoy the pool at Hadley Park, considered the first public park for African Americans in the United States.
Miss Iceberg
The contestants for the "Miss Iceberg" title at Cascade Plunge pose on top of a 10-ton ice pyramid.
Tennessee State Fair - Bull
The Champion Bull poses at the 1964 Tennessee State Fair.
Tennessee State Fair
Onlookers appear to be having just as much fun as the thrill seekers at the Tennessee State Fair in the 1960's.
Tennessee State Fair - Rooster
Held each September, with its 100th anniversary soon to come, the Tennessee State Fair has always been a celebration of our agricultural heritage.
