Historic Talbot – Haynes Community

In 1972 the Trinity Lane exit had new motels and restaurants. Opryland Theme Park had just opened. It was an ideal location for visitors to stay while visiting, both downtown and the theme park. Nashville would enjoy a 25-year run, however in 1997 Gaylord unexpectedly closed the theme park, leaving Nashville devastated and scrambling for a new direction for its striving tour business. Reminisce of yesterday is still prevalent today, says Jack Cawthon, founder of Jack’s Bar-B-Que, who is a leading advocate for change and new smart growth. “It is time now for the area to redevelop in the present”.

It is said to be known that Thomas Talbot settled here 228 Years ago, high on the ridge above Fern Ave overlooking the Cumberland River. He purchased 300 acres and planted 1, 000 apple trees 8 years before Nashville was founded in 1779. He later served some of the best apple brandy in Tennessee at his Talbot Traven near the old courthouse. He served such dignitaries as Andrew Jackson.

In 1850 William Haynes was born into slavery in Murfreesboro TN. He would later find his way to the area from a gift from his slave owner father, who purchased property at Taylor Road, now known as West Trinity Lane and Whites Creek Pike. William Haynes added to that property until he owned most of the area bearing his name today. He was one of the incorporators of Citizen Bank and American Baptist College. He donated the property where Haynes Middle school sits today.

The Talbot-Haynes Community is very rich in history and culture. No other area of Nashville has such potential. This area has been socially economically deprived and overlooked. Views of the Cumberland River are still inspiring as they were, when Thomas Talbot settled, and even more so today, with the bustling skyline of downtown. The Talbot family cemetery, the oldest in Nashville still remains at the West Trinity Lane 1-65/24 exit.