Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Grotte de Glace
Sinquerim Beach Bastion
Port Tobacco Schoolhouse
Barracks / munitions storage.
Vloethemveld
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Green-Wood Cemetery, overlooking New York Harbor.
Where Our Team Looked for Joy During Pandemic Lockdowns
1 day ago
The 2,653-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail spans the entire West Coast from Canada to Mexico.
Meet the Volunteers Who Keep Thru-Hikers Moving
1 day ago
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House building on the U.S.-Canadian border.
Could New Border Restrictions Literally Tear the Haskell Free Library Apart?
2 days ago
A woman peering into the cave of Sarah Bishop c. 1900.
The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism
2 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Tennessee Nashville Butler’s Run

Butler’s Run

This alleyway was named to honor the memory of a beloved local dog.

Nashville, Tennessee

Added By
Traveling Maven
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
  Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
  Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
  Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
  Traveling Maven / Atlas Obscura User
  amcagg / Atlas Obscura User
Butler’s Run historical marker   45rpm / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

A dog named Butler used to run the streets of downtown Nashville and became a local legend. Though he is no longer alive, Butler is remembered today with his own alley leading to the river.

In 1990, the owners of what is now known as Butler’s Run were looking for a pet and found a puppy at the local Nashville Humane Society. They named the dog, who was believed to be a mix of a black Labrador retriever and a springer spaniel, Butler.

When they brought him to their building on 2nd Street, he quickly learned to love making his rounds about the downtown scene. He would get a snacks from local restaurants and visit shops and people along his travels. He also left his footprints in the concrete near the building leaving his indelible mark on the town. When Butler passed away in the fall of 1999, a statue was erected in his honor near his preserved footprints.

Related Tags

Statues Local History Alleyways Dogs

Community Contributors

Added By

Traveling Maven

Edited By

amcagg, 45rpm

  • amcagg
  • 45rpm

Published

July 4, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://violetskyadventures.com/tail-wagging-story-behind-butlers-run/
Butler’s Run
138 2nd Ave N
Ste 500
Nashville, Tennessee, 37201
United States
36.163132, -86.775818
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Robert's Western World

Nashville, Tennessee

miles away

Ryman Alley

Nashville, Tennessee

miles away

Downtown Presbyterian Church

Nashville, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nashville

Nashville

Tennessee

Places 44
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Robert's Western World

Nashville, Tennessee

miles away

Ryman Alley

Nashville, Tennessee

miles away

Downtown Presbyterian Church

Nashville, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nashville

Nashville

Tennessee

Places 44
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Paco in a sitting position

    Madrid, Spain

    Perro Paco

    A statue commemorating a beloved stray dog who was adopted by the entire neighborhood where he lived.

  • A statue of Balto stands in a place of honor in Central Park.

    New York, New York

    Balto Statue

    This monument is dedicated to Balto, the heroic Alaskan sled dog.

  • The Lacrosse Players, by Elmer P. Petersen, was dedicated in 1981.

    La Crosse, Wisconsin

    'The Lacrosse Players'

    This downtown statue pays tribute to the Native American game that gave the city of La Crosse its name.

  • A statue of famed numismatist Chet Krause in his hometown of Iola, Wisconsin.

    Iola, Wisconsin

    Chester L. Krause Legacy Park

    This rural park in central Wisconsin honors one of the world’s most prominent numismatists.

  • A bronze statue of a golden retriever holding two flags in its mouth.

    Ashland, Massachusetts

    Spencer the Marathon Dog Statue

    This sculpture is dedicated to a local therapy dog who later became the official mascot of the 126th Boston Marathon.

  • Green Man sculpture at NW 6th and Davis.

    Portland, Oregon

    The Green Man of Portland

    A Portland legend tells of small green archers shooting random passersby with visionary arrows.

  • Odate, Japan

    ‘Homesick Hachiko’

    Another statue of Japan's most famous dog stands in his hometown.

  • Chuck and Snoopy

    Saint Paul, Minnesota

    Peanuts Gang Bronzes

    A tribute to Charles M. Schulz, who created the iconic cartoon that features Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and more.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.