The numerous frame structures reflect the working class character of the East End neighborhood, contrasting with the brick homes of Nashville's wealthier citizens in Edgefield. By the turn of the century, East End's population was in the hundreds. Families bought or built homes which showcased the Victorian love of craftsmanship, intricate design, and numerous decorative elements. During the early 20th century, the East End neighborhood evolved into a stable, picturesque, and conveniently located inner city neighborhood. East End is typical of inner city neighborhoods, a well-preserved neighborhood with a high degree of visual integrity.
Maintenance is generally good and the neighborhood has a relatively high number of owner-occupants.
Active neighborhood organizations have been instrumental in reversing the declining trend of the last thirty years and continue to work towards future improvements. Edgefield One of Nashville's oldest suburbs, Edgefield today includes the only sizeable concentration of Victorian residential architecture remaining in Davidson County. Edgefield was incorporated as an independent municipality in 1868 and remained so until it was absorbed into Nashville in 1880. It continued, even then, to retain a sense of individuality and always contained a mixture of great two and three story town houses and smaller one story cottages. The greatest fire in Nashville's history broke out on March 22, 1916.