Belle Meade

Most of the land that makes up the present-day city was formerly Belle Meade Plantation.

In 1853, the house on Belle Meade was expanded upon into a five bay Greek Revival style mansion by General William Giles Harding to reflect the success of the plantation. During this time, the Harding family prospered, building their domain into a 5,400-acre plantation that was renowned throughout the world for breeding champion thoroughbred horses.

The American Civil War brought deprivation and danger to Belle Meade Plantation. During the Battle of Nashville, Union and Confederate forces skirmished in the front yard, and the mansion’s massive stone columns were riddled with bullets. Evidence of the violence is still visible today. Mysterious incidents reported by visitors and staff have included colonial plantation workers seen walking the grounds at dusk, cries from the upstairs bedroom and loud footsteps heard on the staircase.