Nashville, Tennessee slave market

Instead of well appointed market-places, distributed at convenient intervals throughout the City, like most of her rival sisters, the people of Nashville, from all quarters of the town, are compelled to resort to this mart for their supplies.

However, in the absence of anything better arranged, or more attractive, as to appearances, the place is liberally patronized, and its business necessarily gives employment to hundreds of persons.

These stalls are a source of considerable revenue to the City, and yield about $45,000 per annum.The Memphis Avalanche reported in 1888 that Nashville's old slave mart was to be demolished soon:[8] A LANDMARK GOING The Old Slave Mart of Nashville to Be Demolished Special Dispatch to the Avalanche Nashville March 5 Workmen today began the demolition of probably the most historic building in Nashville—that known as the Old Slave Mart on the southwest corner of Cherry and Cedar streets—in order to begin the erection of a large block which will comprise a hotel stores and offices.

Since the war the corner has not bore the best reputation as several very serious affrays have occurred there and at times a portion of the block was used as a dive by rough characters.

The iron bars are still on some of the doors and the windows bear evidence of the character of the building The main auction room opened out on Cedar street.

"[9] Another man told the interviewer that he had been sold four times in his life and recalled of the slave markets, "You could see the women crying about their babies and children they had left.

[10] A centenarian named Millie Simpkins interviewed by the WPA Slave Narratives project told her experience:[10] "My first mistress sold me because I was stubborn.