Forrest or Forest: Why residents are pushing to have East Nashville street name changed

What difference does one "r" make? When it comes to a street name in East Nashville, the answer is a big one.

For residents, the spelling of Forrest Avenue serves as a reminder of Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. That has prompted them to request the street name be changed to Forest Avenue, a spelling that has been used in the past.

Woodland, Holly — other street names in East Nashville fall in line with the overall outdoors theme. The spelling of Forest with one r would coincide with that theme.

The bill, sponsored by Metro Council members Brett Withers and Russ Pulley, must pass three readings to go into effect. It passed its first reading Tuesday. There are two meetings left before the council session concludes.

This isn't the first time a Davidson County community has tried to have street names changed. In 2022, the city of Forest Hills petitioned the Tennessee Historical Commission to change six Confederate-named streets after various instances of vandalism. The commision rejected the city's request citing the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act and calling the street names "memorials."

Enacted in 2013 and amended in 2016 and 2018, the law "prohibits the removal, relocation or renaming of a memorial that is, or is located on, public property."

"Metro archives research has not uncovered any connection to Nathan Bedford Forrest or any other individual person," Withers said. "The fact that there is no record of a connection to any historical person means that the Heritage Protection Act should not apply to this legislation."

The spelling request comes two years after the removal of a bust of Forrest from the state Capitol.

Since changing the street name's spelling is more about correcting a typo rather than changing the street name completely, there would be no disruption in mail service, Withers said. The local post office will know where the street is. The Emergency Communications Board has already recommended approval of this name change for 911 and other emergency response purposes.

If the legislation is approved by Metro Council, the Nashville Department of Transportation will print new street signs at some point in the future.

Diana Leyva covers breaking and trending news for The Tennessean. Connect with her by email at dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Forrest or Forest: Residents want to change East Nashville street name