Chapter 3: History and Immigration

James Robertson

John Donelson

Nashville was not always called the Music City. In 1779-1780 the city was founded by poineers by the names of James Robertson and John Donelson Nashville, originally named Fort Nashborough after the revolutionary war hero, Francis Nash.The city grew rapidly because of its great location right along the Cumberland River, which allowed the city to better port and access to trade. The city later became the railroad center, and as it continues to do today, is growing rapidly. The city of Nashville became the state capitol in 1843.


The Donelson and the Robertson family had to travel by and and water from east Tennessee. Both of these men led parties to the new city, treking

thousands of miles to make it to their location and surviving indian attacks to get there. Nashville history fun fact: John Donelson's daughter became our 7th president, Andrew Jackson's, wife.