If you’ve ever wished for a time machine, then the archives at the Nashville Public Library might provide you with a thoroughly historic respite from reality. The expansive digital archive has been organized in the past few years, and its presentation of local history is truly unmatched. We scoured the digital tomes and found some of the very first photos taken in Nashville, and the 19th-century era experience is one that you’ll never forget. You can always peruse the archives for yourself if you’re curious on its official website.

  1. Here you can see the Commerce Building and Auditorium at the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition.

Nashville Public Library Archives This photograph was taken in 1897, just before the turn of the century.

  1. Curious what these young women are doing…?

Nashville Public Library Archives This photo was taken of a gymnastics class at Ward’s Seminary for Young Ladies. It was taken between 1890 and 1899.

  1. Fogg High School is probably a name that you’ve heard tossed around the city’s history classes.

Nashville Public Library Archives Here’s a shot of the school’s junior class in 1892.

  1. Speaking of schools, folks…

Nashville Public Library Archives …here’s a shot of the Main Street School faculty in Nashville taken in 1892.

  1. Do you know 10th Avenue was once known as Walnut Street?

Nashville Public Library Archives This is shot was taken in 1897, and you can see men laying granite along the now-defunct Walnut Street.

  1. The Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition took place in 1897.

Nashville Public Library Archives This photograph of the Machinery Building was taken in the same year.

  1. Have you ever heard of the City Hay Market?

Nashville Public Library Archives It used to be located on 4th Avenue S between both McGavock and Demonbreun Streets.

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Nashville Public Library Archives

This photograph was taken in 1897, just before the turn of the century.

This photo was taken of a gymnastics class at Ward’s Seminary for Young Ladies. It was taken between 1890 and 1899.

Here’s a shot of the school’s junior class in 1892.

…here’s a shot of the Main Street School faculty in Nashville taken in 1892.

This is shot was taken in 1897, and you can see men laying granite along the now-defunct Walnut Street.

This photograph of the Machinery Building was taken in the same year.

It used to be located on 4th Avenue S between both McGavock and Demonbreun Streets.

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