#IBelieveinNashville
Thanks to Nashville native Adrien Saporiti, "I Believe in Nashville" has become a rally cry that you can hear throughout middle Tennessee. Saporiti created DCXV Industries (the roman numerals for 615) to sell apparel with the slogan and to promote shopping local. Not only has the Hatch Show Print-esque graphic been encrypted into the 12th South neighborhood, Marathon Music Works, and by the Basement East, it's all over the internet thanks to the tagline featuring a hashtag. The original mural site at 12th South has become so iconic, it's even featured as a geographic plot point in Google Maps. No need to drop a pin, this tourist attraction has already garnered enough attention to be designated as a destination in its own rite.
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| The original "I Believe in Nashville" mural in 12th South |
Despite being a relatively new iconic stamp threaded into the city, the "I Believe in Nashville" has already fallen victim to the misconception that the mural was established post-flood in May 2010. Saporiti created the mural in 2012 in efforts to unify citizens from Bellevue to Mount Juliet. The city has experienced its share of ebbs and flows throughout its storied history.
The backstory of Nashville shares a common thread of resilience dating back many centuries. From 1000 to 1400 A.D. Native Americans inhabited the Nashville area, yet disappeared. Years later, however, other Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee used the Cumberland area to hunt and gather food. The land featured plentiful buffalo and opportunities for hunting and fur.
The backstory of Nashville shares a common thread of resilience dating back many centuries. From 1000 to 1400 A.D. Native Americans inhabited the Nashville area, yet disappeared. Years later, however, other Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee used the Cumberland area to hunt and gather food. The land featured plentiful buffalo and opportunities for hunting and fur.
The first Europeans to come to the Nashville area were French fur traders around 1717. However, one of the most famous French travelers was French-Canadian. Montreal born Jacques-Timothee Boucher, more commonly known as Timothy Demonbreun, visited middle Tennessee frequently, until deciding in 1766 to take shelter in a cave and pursue fur trapping and trading with Native Americans. In 1778, James Robertson and the Watauga settlers joined Demonbreun, the "first citizen of Nashville" to create Fort Nashborough.
The birth of Nashville as a European settlement was happening simultaneously with the creation of a new nation during the American Revolutionary War. Neighboring colonies were fighting for independence from Great Britain, while Fort Nashborough was created. Overall, Tennesseans did not participate largely in the Revolutionary War (until 1780 when the British vowed to punish settlers that violated the Proclamation Line of 1763). Settlers in the Tennessee area tended to side with the patriots, understanding their discontent towards taxation without representation in Parliament. Consequently, the name "Fort Nashborough" was deemed in honor of General Francis Nash, a commander of the North Carolina brigade of the Continental Army. Native Americans, however, sided with the British and defended their land in Tennessee through the war. East Tennessee decided to take action and fight the British before they got to Tennessee, eventually leading to the Battle at King's Mountain. During this siege, John Sevier gained popularity and recognition. Meanwhile, West Tennessee was busy fending off British and Native American troops. After winning the Revolutionary War, colonists used their victor status to drive Native Americans even further west, reclaiming the land as their own.
In 1784, the Fort Nashborough was renamed "Nashville." Thanks to Nashville's status as a port city, its prime location within the Cumberland, and accessibility due to railroad lines, Nashville grew quickly and became an incorporated city in 1806. Nashville became the permanent capital of Tennessee on October 7th, 1843, beating out Charlotte and several other cities.
The same pros that allowed Nashville to serve as an ideal capital of the state of Tennessee also made it a target for Union forces during the Civil War. Nashville's status as a port on the Cumberland River was a prime reason for Union forces to take over. On December 15th, 1864, the Battle of Nashville ensued. Union soldiers overwhelmingly outnumbered the Confederate troops and the Confederates were forced to retreat. Nashville became the home to many refugees and debauchery featured in plentiful red light districts.
After the Civil War, Nashville fell back into its role as a trade center, although many of Nashville's citizens struggled to find their voices politically and economically, a struggle for minorities that would continue well into the Civil Rights Movement decades later. Being an iconic city of the South, Nashville was no stranger to controversy and strife that often divided populations of citizens.
Currently, the reputation of a songwriting community puts Nashville on the map and artists on stage. Tourists flock to Broadway for beer and live music, while aspiring musicians pack up their belongings and ship out to the 615 in search of stardom and a record deal. Music helps thread an experience that only Nashville can offer.
Throughout Music City's storied saga, Nashville has a recurring theme of hardship and recovery. For every struggle the city encounters, the citizens often come through fighting. Tennessee's chronicle is full of dissenting voices ranging from disagreements over land, voting rights, representation, and basic human rights, earning a reputation as a politically competitive state, however, Nashville's endurance through the times gives its citizens something powerful to believe in. Saporiti's goal of uniting citizens and looking forward to a bright future, whether after a flood or a turbulent election, seeps through his art. Any Nashville native can agree that we live in an amazing city that is worth fighting for. Adrien's mural featuring bold print and the Tennessee Tri-Star is no longer merely a revered catchphrase, it's a belief system.
Sources:
Bucy, Carol. "Nashville's Historical Timeline"
Nashville History
The birth of Nashville as a European settlement was happening simultaneously with the creation of a new nation during the American Revolutionary War. Neighboring colonies were fighting for independence from Great Britain, while Fort Nashborough was created. Overall, Tennesseans did not participate largely in the Revolutionary War (until 1780 when the British vowed to punish settlers that violated the Proclamation Line of 1763). Settlers in the Tennessee area tended to side with the patriots, understanding their discontent towards taxation without representation in Parliament. Consequently, the name "Fort Nashborough" was deemed in honor of General Francis Nash, a commander of the North Carolina brigade of the Continental Army. Native Americans, however, sided with the British and defended their land in Tennessee through the war. East Tennessee decided to take action and fight the British before they got to Tennessee, eventually leading to the Battle at King's Mountain. During this siege, John Sevier gained popularity and recognition. Meanwhile, West Tennessee was busy fending off British and Native American troops. After winning the Revolutionary War, colonists used their victor status to drive Native Americans even further west, reclaiming the land as their own.
In 1784, the Fort Nashborough was renamed "Nashville." Thanks to Nashville's status as a port city, its prime location within the Cumberland, and accessibility due to railroad lines, Nashville grew quickly and became an incorporated city in 1806. Nashville became the permanent capital of Tennessee on October 7th, 1843, beating out Charlotte and several other cities.
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| Marathon Music Works edition |
After the Civil War, Nashville fell back into its role as a trade center, although many of Nashville's citizens struggled to find their voices politically and economically, a struggle for minorities that would continue well into the Civil Rights Movement decades later. Being an iconic city of the South, Nashville was no stranger to controversy and strife that often divided populations of citizens.
Currently, the reputation of a songwriting community puts Nashville on the map and artists on stage. Tourists flock to Broadway for beer and live music, while aspiring musicians pack up their belongings and ship out to the 615 in search of stardom and a record deal. Music helps thread an experience that only Nashville can offer.
Throughout Music City's storied saga, Nashville has a recurring theme of hardship and recovery. For every struggle the city encounters, the citizens often come through fighting. Tennessee's chronicle is full of dissenting voices ranging from disagreements over land, voting rights, representation, and basic human rights, earning a reputation as a politically competitive state, however, Nashville's endurance through the times gives its citizens something powerful to believe in. Saporiti's goal of uniting citizens and looking forward to a bright future, whether after a flood or a turbulent election, seeps through his art. Any Nashville native can agree that we live in an amazing city that is worth fighting for. Adrien's mural featuring bold print and the Tennessee Tri-Star is no longer merely a revered catchphrase, it's a belief system.
Sources:
Bucy, Carol. "Nashville's Historical Timeline"
Nashville History
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