Yes, it was named for President Andrew Jackson, like so many things ‘round here. But Old Hickory’s roots aren’t connected to him. Originally, Old Hickory was a planned town, built in 1918 for workers at the DuPont gunpowder factory that was being constructed nearby. Like many planned communities, it was intended to be self-sufficient, with YMCAs (segregated, as was the case a century ago), theaters, banks and grocery stores. This is where the town gets its “Powder City” nickname.
The gunpowder era didn’t last long. Old Hickory went through a number of incarnations, including when DuPont used it as a company town for its rayon factory, sparking yet another nickname, “Rayon City.” (If you’re curious, this Nashville Public Library article has lots more history.)
Company towns weren’t always good for workers. This is the phenomenon Tennessee Ernie Ford sang about in “Sixteen Tons.” But they often had interesting architecture and could be good for community building. Part of what’s cool about Old Hickory is that those roots remain: It still has a strong sense of community and places you can get to know folks when you shop.
Old Hickory Social is a collection of vendors selling arts and crafts and teaching all manner of hands-on classes under one roof. The Old Hickory Village Farmers Market is a monthly get-together of farmers, musicians and neighbors. The Metro-owned Old Hickory Community Center is bright and shiny with a good fitness center, pickleball courts, and an indoor track. Need a caffeine fix? Old Hickory has several coffee shops, those centers of modern community — head to Rayon City Cafe, Summit Sisters Coffee, or Dose.
