Crescent Bend

Crescent Bend is a Federal-style house that sits on a hillside above Kingston Pike with views toward the Tennessee River below. The brick structure has classical proportions and is surrounded by formal gardens that cascade down the slope in nine distinct levels.

The house was constructed in 1834 and served as a military headquarters during the Civil War era. It survived as one of the city's rare antebellum structures and documents the building practices of that period.

The name derives from the crescent bend in the river visible from the grounds, a geographical feature that shaped how the property was designed and oriented. Visitors notice this connection between the house and the landscape as they explore the different garden levels.

The house is open to the public with guided tours available through the rooms and gardens that show how people lived in this era. The gardens are walkable with some steep sections and multiple stairs connecting the different levels.

The grounds feature nine Italian-style terraces with five fountains, an unusual formal garden layout for the region. This carefully stepped arrangement follows the natural slope of the property down toward the river.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 35.95110,-83.94930

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:25