Belle Meade Plantation

Belle Meade Plantation is located in Belle Meade, Tennessee in the Nashville metro area. The plantation has an historic mansion on the grounds and is known for its former horse breeding activities.

History

In 1807 John Harding, a Virginian, bought Dunham's Station log cabin and 250 acres on the Natchez Trace. Initially Harding boarded horses for neighbors such asAndrew Jackson. By 1816 and he was breeding thoroughbreds.

In 1853, the mansion was built by John Harding’s son General William Giles Harding . During this time, the Harding family prospered, building their domain into a 5,400-acre plantation that was renowned throughout the world for breeding champion thoroughbred horses.

The American Civil War  brought deprivation and danger to the plantation. Union and Confederate  forces even fought in the front yard. The mansion's massive stone columns were riddled with bullets. Evidence of the violence is still visible today.

After the war and during Reconstruction , Belle Meade's reputation expanded as a first-class breeding establishment attracting buyers from around the world for its annual yearling sales. Under the management of Hardin's sons-in-law, brothers William Hicks Jackson and Howell Edmunds Jackson Belle Meade business flourished. Following the Jackson brothers' deaths, adverse financial conditions forced an auction of the property at the beginning of the 20th century and the fourth generation of the Harding family moved off the property. The former plantation lands formed the independent city of Belle Meade.

In 1953, Belle Meade Mansion and eight outbuildings on 30 core acres were deeded to the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities. Presently the plantation is managed by the Nashville chapter of the Association.