Federal Building/Customs House

A beautiful, stately, ornate building that served the Nashville area for almost a century before being cast aside, the Customs House is a reminder of... more

by Alina Skye

Title

Federal Building/Customs House

Artist

Alina Skye

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

A beautiful, stately, ornate building that served the Nashville area for almost a century before being cast aside, the Customs House is a reminder of what government can do right with architecture. It is one of the finest pieces of Victorian architecture in Tennessee and was abuzz with activity until the late 20th century when the United States government decided it didn’t want the building anymore. Fortunately, the Nashville Metropolitan Government did, and took possession of the building for redevelopment.
The cornerstone was laid Sept. 19, 1877, by President Rutherford B. Hayes
on the first visit of a president to the South since the Civil War.
Opened in 1882 at 701 Broadway, it originally housed the city's post office on the ground floor. The federal Treasury Department offices were on the second, and Justice Department and courtrooms on the third.
Once completed, it became a distinctive member of the Nashville skyline that remains to this day.

Uploaded

September 24th, 2013