The 34th Annual A Celebration of Home in Lockeland Springs on Dec. 8 and 9 provides an opportunity to tour 11 unique properties in East Nashville. Nine are historic; two are modern; and all have fascinating stories to share. Always wanted to check out the mysterious Masonic Lodge on Eastland? How about the venerated Holly Street Fire Hall? Well, here’s your chance.
Lockeland Springs-East End is one of the many historic neighborhoods that make Nashville unique. Located at the heart of East Nashville, this tight-knit community is characterized by its distinctive architecture, history and preservation ethic. The majority of the neighborhood is located within the East Nashville Historic District, which in 1982 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s list of historic places worthy of preservation. The Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association had been established four years earlier in 1978.
As designated in 1982, the 1,100-acre historic district contains approximately 22 blocks with more than 350 properties. In 1985, the Lockeland Springs- East End neighborhood became a Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlay district, a historic preservation tool administered by the City of Nashville through the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission (MHZC). The neighborhood was the first in Nashville to become a Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlay district and one of the first in the United States. The boundaries of the Lockeland Springs-East End conservation overlay district are roughly Eastland Avenue to the north, South 16th and South 14th Streets to the east, Fatherland Street to the south, and South 11th Street and Gallatin Road to the west.
The National Register of Historic Places provides neighborhood protection at the federal level. The Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlay district requires property owners to acquire a local Preservation Permit from the MHZC when certain exterior work is undertaken to ensure that the historic character of the neighborhood is preserved. Permitted work includes new construction, additions, demolitions and relocations.
All the properties in A Celebration of Home in Lockeland Springs are located both in the East Nashville Historic District and the Lockeland Springs-East End Neighborhood Conservation Zoning Overlay district. Most have been remodeled, enlarged or restored in recent years. Newcomers to East Nashville own many of them, but one couple has lived in their home for nearly a quarter century. Two non-historic properties, both completed in 2010, provide outstanding examples of how architects design modern infill buildings to complement their historic neighbors.
All of the historic homes were built between the 1890s and 1930s, the era when the vast majority of the homes in Lockeland Springs- East End were constructed. These homes are representative of the various architectural styles found throughout the neighborhood, including Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, Neoclassical and Craftsman. The owners of these beauties have shared their experiences in meeting the challenges of renovating vintage homes. One couple is even tracking the progress of their ongoing renovation work via an online blog.
Some of the colorful homes on this tour have been meticulously restored to their original grandeur. Others have been lavishly renovated while retaining the historic character of the original home. All have been lovingly cared for by their owners.
The hours for the tour are 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, and 1 p.m. till 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9. Local eateries including Mad Donna’s, Fat Bottom Brewery, Pied Piper Creamery, Kismet Creations, Eat Well Market, Lockeland Table, Sweet 16th Bakery and Ugly Mugs are serving goodies to tour goers.
Advance tickets will be available the first weekend of November for $10 at local businesses and online. For a list of locations and a link to purchase online, visit www.lockelandsprings.org. Tickets can also be purchased on the days of the tour at the Corinthian Lodge (1400 Eastland Ave.) for $15.
