Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-25
WEST ENp

1 ~ the Eultors OF the Union and American:
Among the suburban improvements,
one ct the handsomest is the "West Enc
Avenue, which is Broadw way, 80 feet
wide, opened and graded, to Cockrill
Springs and the Fair Grounds, and I'm
ished, with street railroad in the centre,
similar to Ophelia Avenue in North Nash
| vile, and a carriage drive on both sides.
This done, Broad way extends from the
river to Cockrill Springs, two and half
| miles.
This Improvement opens the way, by
street railroad, TO the Fair Grounds, which
will serve as park, and viii be scce ssh
BILE to all, but especially agreeable to
children and the working classes. The
fare win be only five cents when the
street railways are consolidated 1t
opens beautiful section for handsome
residences with improved grounds. 1t
crosses the Chattanooga Railroad over
the tunnel, and avoids accidents and risks
from locomotives near the depot.
The buildings st the Fair Grounds
furnish protection from the sun and
weather for ten thousand people, picnics,
etc. This is the theatre for the future
orators, who are to fill the void left by
Clay, Prentiss, Marshall, and Haskell.
Among those most active and working
in this improvement, Is Mr.. John r. VIII
hanns, and when completed, he may well
feel proud of the result; when the sFsir
Grounds" are ornamented and fully i'm
proved and opened TO the city as Park,
and drive, and the "Westend Avenue"
finished with gravel or shells. g.55 Is.
A regular, permanent growth is the
future of Nashville. This is now settled
by the avenues to the ''ceal fields,n by
railroads and river. Education, com>
merce and manufactures are the founda-
tons on which it rests. II has been re-.
nowned for beauty and high polish and
grace. They may be enumerated among
the ornaments of her future society.
Time must decide this. / hold that the
issue is doubtful. 1t stood as the gate
that opened to the treasures of the South.
These are now buried. .r..,..-.
When "West End avenue is improved
by men of capital and leisure, the younger
members of the families might inquire,
why that was called 'fCockrill Spring"
Its history gives the answer thus:
In51779 John Cockril was one of the
pioneers who came to Sulphur Lick, on
Cumberland river, with Gen. James Rob-
ertson. They built "block house" on
the bank of the river, where the suspen-
sion bridge now crosses il, in which the
young colony lived for some years. In
1850 John Cockrill married the sister of |
Gen. Robertson, Elijah Robertson and
Mark Robertson. The wedding was in
the block house, or fort, where they lived |
till several children were born. When |
the Indians were driven further away, |
John Cockrill purchased, with COW and |
calf, the tract of land where the spring |
is, and the Fair Grounds, and it included |
the Penitentiary lots, and moved out with |
his family to the spring, and, in 49,, |
built the old frame building now standing |
near the spring. The further consideration |
for the purchase was thirteen years in |
service as Indian fighter, In which he was |
twice seriously wounded, but lived to |
good old age, and died the o 4ner of the |
fCockrill SPRING and 'Fair Grounds"
This portion of the tract descended to |
Pstsey, the youngest daughter of thirteen |
children; the beauty and belle of Tennes- |
see at that time. She conveyed it to |
Mark r. Cockrill, and he to John Boyd. |
This spring remained the property of |
John Cockrill and his children for fifty |
yeas, and hence the name, "Cockrill |
Spring." and has been dedicated to the |
use of the future owners of said tract by |
Boyds heirs, and thus became public |
spring. The Fair Grounds were pur-
chased by the company from Boyd's
heirs, and is portion of the tract.
Thus it appears that the spring was
never sold but once, Mark r. Cockrill to |
John Boyd. laG - es &C."