Opry Mills Mall

Many people were dismayed to see Nashville's venerable Opryland Park to be closed, demolished and replaced with a shopping mall. How the loss of Opryland happened is a story of it's own..... RIP Opryland.

Photos by Michael and Krissy

Recent News

Sunday, 07/16/06 Police identify Opry Mills shooting victims, continue investigation

GETAHN WARD

Metro police today identified the two men that suffered gunshot wounds Saturday night at Opry Mills Mall and are investigating the incident, which sent shoppers and other patrons running for cover.

Jason Hoskin, 23, of Harper Road in Joelton, was hit in the back by a bullet that exited and struck Lewis Perkins, 15, of Gilead Court in Madison in his left forearm, police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Both are believed to have been shot by a member of a rival gang after the two groups of teenagers and young adults met on opposite sides of a hallway and started flashing gang signs at each other, he said.

Aaron said Hoskin was taken by a private vehicle to Skyline Medical Center and is believed to have been transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where a spokesman could not confirm his presence. Perkins was treated and released from Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, he said.

Hallways of the crowded mall were evacuated after the shooting incident occurred around 9 p.m., Aaron said.

The mall incident happened as Metro police under “Operation Safer Streets” are cracking down on gang activity in areas such as Hickory Hollow Mall. Aaron said that could have driven gangs to Opry Mills, though the people involved in the incident could also have just happened upon each other. Aaron expects “Operation Safer Streets” to keep a closer eye on Opry Mills.

“The situation last night is something the police department in this city will not tolerate,” he said.

Henry Jones, Opry Mills’ general manager, declined to comment on mall security measures and referred any questions regarding the incident to Metro police.

“We’re committed to the safety and well-being of our shoppers and mall employees,” he said.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060716/NEWS03/60716002

History

Amusement park fans know that Opry Mills Mall sits on the former grounds of Opryland - a popular theme park. Almost all traces of the park were removed and the mall erected in its place by property owners Gaylord Entertainment. This has not endeared the mall to many people.

Walking from the mall to the nearby Opryland Hotel, you will pass the only remaining evidence that the park ever existed - the remains of the Grizzly River Rampage. Why this structure was spared is anyones guess. These pictures, compliments of Thrillhunters Opryland Tribute show the before and after images of the popular water ride. The rafts from this ride made their way to Six Flags Over Texas and I rode on one this past Monday (5/28/2007) and got just as wet as I did back in the day at Opryland! df