Opryland USA: A Circle Broken

2025 marks 100 years of the Grand Ole Opry, but what about the theme park that saved it?

The unexpected closure of Opryland USA in 1997 remains one of Nashville's greatest losses. The public was promised that part of the park would remain intact — it didn't. For 25 years, Opryland was the cultural centerpiece of the city. The community is still asking: "Why was Opryland closed and replaced with a mall?"