History

Nashville, North Carolina, is the oldest of the thirteen towns named Nashville in the United States. The town’s origins trace back to 1777, when Nash County was created from part of Edgecombe County. That same year, the state legislature designated a central location for the new county seat and appointed Duncan Lamon, Nathan Boddie, Matthew Drake, Edward Clerick, and Arthur Arrington to oversee the construction of a courthouse, prison, and public stocks. Today, Boddie and Drake are honored with streets named after them, which still border the courthouse square. Construction of the first courthouse began in 1777 and was completed by 1778. In early documents, the settlement was often referred to as "Nash Court House by Peach Tree Creek." The name evolved to "Nash Court House" before officially becoming "Nashville" sometime before 1780, in honor of General Francis Nash, a Revolutionary War hero who was killed in battle. Nashville continued to grow steadily and gained a post office in 1805. In 1815, the North Carolina General Assembly officially incorporated Nashville, making it the first incorporated town in Nash County. Most recently, in June 2022, the Town Charter was updated by Session Law 2022-20. Over the past two decades, Nashville’s population has more than doubled, growing by over 130% to approximately 5,000 residents. According to the U.S. Census, it is the fastest-growing town in Nash County in the 21st century. Despite its growth, Nashville has retained its small-town charm and strong community spirit. Today, Nashville is a full-service local government and proudly serves as the county seat. It is home to many key county facilities, including the courthouse, administrative offices, health and social services departments, emergency services, the sheriff’s office, the senior center, and the Nash County Public Schools' central office. We remain committed to preserving our heritage while planning for a vibrant future—making Nashville truly “A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play.”