First Horizon Park – Nashville, Tennessee
Names: First Horizon Park, First Tennessee Park (2015-2019), Sulphur Dell (1885-1963)
Address: 19 Junior GIlliam Way., Nashville, Tennessee, 37219
Capacity: 10,000
Opened: January, 2015
First Horizon Park, in Nashville, Tennessee, is the home of the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers of the International League.
The park was built on the site of the former Sulphur Dell, a minor league ballpark from 1885 to 1963.
Bordered by Fourth Ave., Fifth Ave., Jackson St., and a railroad spur, the park, originally known as “Sulfur Springs Bottom,” was the name given to Nashville’s recreational area after the city became Tennessee’s capital because a natural sulfur spring was nearby. Residents would fill empty containers with the odorous liquid to use for medicinal purposes, or take a drink right from the spring.
During the Civil War, Union soldiers first taught Nashville citizens how to play the “northern game” of baseball. In 1870, the area was called Athletic Park, and in 1885 it became home to Nashville’s first professional baseball team, the Americans, in the newly formed Southern League. It was not until 1908 that the venue was dubbed “Sulfur Dell” by Nashville news reporter Grantland Rice.
Sulfur Dell was a low-lying field that gave the outfield an unusual contour. The right-field fence was only 262 feet from home plate, and the bottom of the fence was 22 1/2 feet above the playing field. The park had unusual outfield dimensions (Left Field: 334′, Center Field: 421′, Right Field: 262′) due to the shape of the city block in which the ballpark was located.
The distance from the grandstands to first base was only 42 feet, and to third base was 26 feet. The playing surface was situated below street level. An embankment around the entire outfield was part of the playing field.
In its 100-year existence, many of Nashville’s professional baseball teams called Sulphur Dell “home.” The Americans, Seraphs, Tigers, Vols, and Negro League Elite Giants all played at the famous ballpark. The Nashville Vols played their final game at Sulphur Dell on September 8, 1963 as a member of the South Atlantic League after 61 years in the Southern Association from 1901 through 1961.
Sulphur Dell was demolished in 1969, but its memory lives on today through several homages at First Tennessee Park (becoming First Horizon Park).
Game Log:
Gwinnett Stripers vs. Nashville Sounds (International League) – June 27, 2026
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Nashville Sounds (International League) – July 3, 2026