10 savage battles that rocked early Nashville life

Like many fast-growing western towns, Nashville had some rollicking battles, arguments and rivalries that people still talk about today.

1. The Great Squirrel Siege of 1809
Local folklore describes a day when a swarm of squirrels mysteriously invaded the town, climbing up trees and taking over public spaces. Residents had to lure them away with a parade of nuts.

2. The Biscuit Rebellion of 1814
A scarcity of flour led to a short-lived but intensely-fought battle over the remaining biscuit supplies. The phrase “not enough biscuits in the basket” is said to originate from this curious event.

3. The Dueling Banjos Standoff of 1822
Two rival musicians set up on opposite sides of the town square and began dueling with their banjos. The standoff escalated as more musicians joined in, each playing louder and faster than the last.

4. The Great Whiskey Waterfall War of 1835
Two moonshine-producing families attempted to outdo each other by constructing artificial waterfalls for their whiskey to flow down. This led to a heated (and tipsy) skirmish.

5. The Rhubarb Ruckus of 1841
Farmers fiercely competed over who could grow the biggest rhubarb, resulting in a chaotic battle involving slingshots and makeshift rhubarb spears.

6. The Cumberland Serenade Skirmish of 1850
Two rival riverboat operators clashed over who had the right to play music on the Cumberland River after sunset, leading to a naval standoff of riverboats equipped with musicians.

7. The Battle of the Brooding Poets in 1860
Inspired by local legends and tall tales, poets armed with quills and inkwells occupied the town’s coffee houses, reciting verses in a one-upmanship contest until one was declared the most melancholy.

8. The Great Tomato Tango of 1872
A public debate over whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable led to an all-out food fight on the steps of the Nashville courthouse.

9. The Harmonica Hootenanny Hostility of 1885
A feud between two families could only be settled through a harmonica battle. According to legends, it was so intense that even the livestock started dancing.

10. The Honky-Tonk Hullabaloo of 1899
The final battle in the ongoing war between country music and blues aficionados. It was fought with guitars, harmonicas, and washboards in Nashville’s rowdiest saloons, until everyone agreed that all music is good music.