EDGEHILL NEIGHBORHOOD: LIVING IN THE HEART OF NASHVILLE

Edgehill began with the estate of Robert Currey, postmaster and mayor of Nashville in the 19th century, who owned a mansion in the area of Rose Park. Other settlers began to move into the same area and it was named Currey Hill.

The settlement grew into a neighborhood due to the Civil War. Two forts were constructed in the area by Union forces as a camp for fugitive slaves from the south. Many of the slaves stayed after the war to form a predominately black community that came to be named "Edgehill".

West Edgehill consists of single family detached homes. It was home to professionals who found it appealing due to a new streetcar line they could use to commute downtown.

Originally founded as a white community, demographics changed substantially in the early 1900s. The popularity of the automobile caused white flight to the suburbs. African Americans from Belle Meade and the Black Migration from the south quickly filled the void.

Black professionals moved in and continued developing the area. With professionals living in the west end and locally-owned businesses on the other, Edgehill became a self-sufficient African American community.

The citizens of Edgehill used their success to give back to the African American community.

Three prominent African American residents of Edgehill were William Edmonson, who became the first African American to have his own show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, MG Blakemore, a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives during the Civil Rights Movement, and Bill Barnes, a Methodist pastor, who was a great advocate during the Civil Rights Movement.

White Way Laundry was a very important part of the community. The cleaning service was founded in 1931 by W.H. Elam and his sons, Nelson and Ira.

During World War II, the government called upon White Way to stay open 24/7 for the next several years. During the day business would continue as usual, but after hours they washed bed linens and uniforms for the troops overseas.

Edgehill became the place to stay for traveling African Americans. Famous musicians who were welcomed by the city to play concerts were unable to stay in the segregated hotels downtown, so rooming houses in Edgehill welcomed tourists and artists.

Edgehill is now the official home of famous Music Row  and is within minutes of big-name convenience shopping and downtown Nashville.

Architecturally, this neighborhood offers early century bungalows and new craftsman styles.

Buying & Selling in Edgehill

The median sales price* for homes in Edgehill is $640,000.  Average price per square foot is $489, an increase of 58% compared to the same period last year.

* Stated values were current as of December, 2017

More Information on Living in Edgehill

• Learn more about Edgehill, its history, and neighborhood character on the Edgehill Neighorhood Coalition website.
• You can also check out photos from community events on the Edgehill Village Neighborhood Association Facebook page.