The Old Hickory Road Trip
A local and global Nashville story
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Old Hickory Du Pont Factory
The Du Pont Powder Factory was built in 1918 to produce gunpowder for the United States and Allied forces until the end of World War I. The plant was a major regional and international employer, attracting workers from Puerto Rico and Mexico as well as across the United States. After the war ended later that year, Du Pont converted the factory into a rayon plant and continued to employ hundreds of workers, establishing a thriving company town divided by race and class. Eighteen miles outside of Nashville, the town constructed its own railroads, bridges, houses, schools, theaters, hotels, and water distribution system in response to the influx of workers seeking residence in Old Hickory. Though deeply rooted in the segregationist politics of the American South, this factory town represents how Nashville and its surrounding communities were unique sites of international politics, affected by a diverse range of communities that settled in the area during World War I and shortly afterwards.
Old Hickory's African American Neighborhood
In Old Hickory, African American workers lived west of Hadley Avenue along the 9th and 10th streets, residing in temporary housing units, like this "tarbaby" bungalow pictured above in the first slide. A 1922 article describing the African American community in Old Hickory specifically notes that "a separate and distinct village houses the negro population, and includes an individual recreation center," making clear that there would be little to no interaction between Black and white populations. Though Black workers were actively discriminated against, these same workers also rioted against racist behavior witnessed in the Du Pont factory and the Old Hickory community. In November 1918, for example, the African American publication The Chicago Defender reported on a race riot incited by violent whites, illustrating how the city was intricately embedded in systemic racism and segregation.
The Old Hickory Mexican Village
One of the largest communities that flourished in Old Hickory was the Mexican village, located north of the Du Pont factory. Shortly after the factory was completed in July 1918, over three hundred Mexican men and their families moved to Old Hickory to find work at the factory. By August, a string orchestra was established, which gained significant popularity in the area. Though they were primarily workers at the factory, these musicians were also employed to play music at local gatherings and dances. As time passed and the Mexican population in Old Hickory grew, the village built a Mexican Y.M.C.A. and its own church. However, because the village was so close to the Du Pont factory, this put many of the residents at risk. In December 1918, for example, an explosion occurred which set one of the village's bunkhouses on fire. Though the Mexican village was integral to Du Pont's success in Old Hickory, its residents were continually mistreated due to the area's segregation and rampant white supremacy.
The Old Hickory Factory Map