Manufactures.—The industries of Nashville,. which are more extensive than any other city in the State, had in 1919 aggregate capital of $115,000,000, and manufactured products valued at $150,000,000. The manufactures include flour, grist-mill products, lumber and timber prod ucts, fertilizers, cotton goods, clothing, harness, saddlery, soap, stoves, ranges, hollow ware, coffins, shoes, candles, tobacco, wagons, car riages, confectionery, printing, clothing and cars. There is a large export trade and extensive wholesale traffic in drygoods, boots and shoes, groceries, drugs, hats millinery, paper and hardware. The wholesale trade is estimated at over $250,000,000 annually. Al most at the doors of Nashville, and tapped by every line of railroad entering the city, are apparently inexhaustible fields of coal of the highest grade. The bountifulness of the sup ply is attested by the fact that during the pro longed anthracite coal strike, when coal was selling at almost prohibitive prices in every other section of the country, there was no advance in the price of coal in Nashville.
History.—The city was settled in 1780 by a band of pioneers under the leadership of James Robertson. It was named in honor of Gen. Francis Nash, a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War, and was called Nash borough until 1784. During the early years of its existence Nashville was repeatedly attacked by the Cherokees and other Indian tribes. It was chartered as a city in 1806; was the seat of the State legislature in 1812-15, and became the permanent State capital in 1843. The Federal army occupied the city in 1862 and around the city in 1864 was fought one of the greatest battles of the Civil War. (See NASH VILLE, BATTLE or.) In 1896 the State cele brated the centennial of Tennessee's admittance into the Union, and a great industrial exposi tion was held here the following year.
Population.— Nashville in 1830 had a popu lation of 5,566; (1850) 10,165; (1860) 16,988; (1870) 25,865; (1880) 43,350; (1890) 76,168; (1900) 80865; (1910) 110,364; the 1910 total included Z993 persons of foreign birth and 36,523 of negro descent (1919) 145,000.