Nashville is a town in Washington Township, Brown County, Indiana, United States. The population was 803 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Brown County and is the county's only incorporated town.[4] The town is best known as the center of the Brown County Art Colony and as a tourist destination.
History
Settlement of land in and around Nashville began with the acquisition of land from native populations under the 1809 Treaty of Fort Wayne. This was expanded with more acquisitions under the 1818 Treaty of St. Mary's. Founded in 1836 by county agent Banner C. Brummett, it was first named Jacksonburg.[5] The population of the entire county was estimated to be 150 in 1830. The first Nashville courthouse was constructed in 1837 and a jail was added in the same year. By 1840, area population had grown to 2,364. The town was officially incorporated in 1872.[5] By the turn of the century, heavy logging in the area had caused significant deforestation which resulted in dramatic erosion problems.
Entrance to a shop in the Bartley House
In the early twentieth century, a number of artists settled in the area, most notably T. C. Steele, the American Impressionist painter. These artists were the basis for the Brown County Art Colony, which continues to this day as the Brown County Art Guild.[6]
According to the 2010 census, Nashville has a total area of 1.01 square miles (2.62 km2), all land.[8]
Nashville's rolling hills, ridges, and valleys are a story of the north fork of Salt Creek. The surrounding hills are made of sandstone, siltstone and shale. These sedimentary rocks were laid down in an ancient river delta named the Borden delta, similar to the current Mississippi River delta.[9]
Salt Creek (south), Greasy Creek (east), and Jackson Branch Creek (west) have cut down through the surrounding terrain to give Nashville its rolling hills. Lake Monroe, the largest lake in Indiana, was constructed by damming Salt Creek south of Bloomington.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Nashville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[10]
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 825 people, 375 households, and 181 families living in the town. The population density was 868.6 inhabitants per square mile (335.4/km2). There were 412 housing units at an average density of 433.8 per square mile (167.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.09% White, 0.85% African American, 0.85% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
Nashville courthouse
There were 375 households, out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.5% were non-families. 45.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.86 and the average family size was 2.58.
Previous Nashville jail, now a museum
In the town, the population was spread out, with 13.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 31.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,330, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,723. About 14.3% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 803 people, 359 households, and 167 families living in the town. The population density was 795.0 inhabitants per square mile (307.0/km2). There were 412 housing units at an average density of 407.9 per square mile (157.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
There were 359 households, of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.5% were non-families. 48.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 29% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.90 and the average family size was 2.79.
The median age in the town was 59.7 years. 14.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 11.8% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 40% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 41.0% male and 59.0% female.
Education
The Town of Nashville is home to the central campus of the Brown County School District, the only school corporation in Brown County. The schools include Brown County Intermediate School which serves grades 5 and 6, Brown County Junior High serving grades 7 and 8, and Brown County High School which serves grades 9-12. The Brown County School Corporation Administration Office, affectionately referred to as the "White House" is located in Nashville as well.[13] Nashville has a public library, a branch of the Brown County Public Library.[14]
Van Buren St. in Nashville, Indiana showing some shops and the historic Nashville House
Arts and culture
Nashville's tourist industry is based upon the original works of resident artists and the area's scenic environment. For example, the Brown County State Park is located just outside the town. Art, antique, and specialty shops, as well as galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues, make up downtown Nashville, and many inns, rented cottages, and bed and breakfast establishments serve visitors. Tasting tours of wineries and distilleries also occur.[15]
Nashville was the original home of the John Dillinger Museum, which was relocated to Hammond after the original owner's death.[16]
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