Fort Negley

Fort Negley is a Civil War fortification in Nashville built atop St. Cloud Hill with a distinctive star shape. The structure features massive limestone blocks arranged to create a geometric defensive system with multiple protruding points.

The fort was built between October and December 1862, shortly after the Union Army captured Nashville. It developed as one of the largest inland fortifications of the Civil War to command the strategic position.

The fort's name honors General James Scott Negley, who fought in Tennessee during the war. Visitors today see reminders of this history in the massive stone walls and preserved structures on the hillside.

The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset and offers self-guided tours along paved pathways. Information panels along the routes explain the history and layout of the fortification for visitors.

Thousands of workers, including both enslaved and free Black laborers, built this fortification under Union command in just a few months. This achievement shows the immense effort and organizational power required for such a large construction project during wartime.

Location: Nashville

Architects: James St. Clair Morton

Website: https://nashville.gov/departments/parks/historic-sites/fort-negley

GPS coordinates: 36.14510,-86.77466

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43