Clarksville

Angela Rodesky

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781467113069
• eBook ISBN: 9781439650332
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: 20th Century History
• Index: History

Clarksville may have been put on the map as a major tobacco port at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers, but ever since the founding of Fort Campbell--home of the 101st Airborne Division--in 1942, Clarksville has expanded rapidly and is currently the fifth-largest city in the state of Tennessee. Reinvention of its historic mainstays, such as Austin Peay State University and the Roxy Theatre, has brought new cultural activity to the area. The Monkees' 1966 hit single "Last Train to Clarksville" was inspired by the local Louisville & Nashville Railroad depot. The Leaf-Chronicle, Tennessee's oldest newspaper, has continued to publish in Clarksville, capturing its endless growth and redevelopment. Today, the tight-knit community continues to uphold its brand as "Tennessee's Top Spot."

One

FUN IN CLARKSVILLE

One thing is for sure, there is always something fun to do in Clarksville. Some things from years past do not change. The Roxy Theatre, for example, continues to pack them in with enjoyable plays and musicals while offering camps and classes to both adults and youth alike. There is also fun to be had strolling through shops downtown. It would be wrong not to mention the modern way of shopping that showed up in the form of Governs Square Mall, with all its stores and a movie theater. For fresh air, Clarksville boasts 32 parks, each including numerous playgrounds, pavilions for parties and cookouts, and dog parks where four-legged friends can also enjoy those nice days outdoors. Some of these parks even have public pools to splash around in during the warm summer months. At one time, roller-skating rinks and drive-in movie theaters were the places to gather with friends. Some are still around, but as times change, so do some of the extracurricular activates community members enjoy. Paintball is one of those growing outdoor activities that friends and families enjoy doing. Red Leg Action Sports along the Red River happens to be the center of all the paintball fun in Clarksville; the field was even rebuilt after the flood of 2012. There are also a number of wonderful parades that take place throughout the year. The pages of this first chapter provide a glimpse of some of the fun to be had in Clarksville.

Theresa Harrington speaks to a crowd during Volunteer Day in June 1995. Many Clarksville residents and some members of the surrounding communities came out for this day’s event. There is always some kind of activity taking place in Clarksville that acknowledges those who contribute or pave the way for families and the community to flourish. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

The Spirit of Tennessee paid a visit to Clarksville in August 1996. It was an added attraction to the celebration of the completed restoration of the L&N Train Station. The crowd sits quietly, facing the podium, and listens to a speech given by Mayor Don Trotter. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Pictured above is Volunteer Day on June 1, 1995, which brought out community members of all ages. Lewis Jones is seen shaking the hand of a young Robert Sanders, while Lorenza R. Collier observes. Below, Nat Allen (right) shakes the hand of Bill Harpel during a celebration at the L&N Train Station during the same event. (Both photographs by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

This group of hardworking volunteers poses for a photograph in front of the L&N Train Station. Some of those pictured include Bill Ogles, Norman Young, county commissioner Jay Albertia, Mrs. Rubel, Teresa Harrington, and Eleanor Williams (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Renovating the historic L&N Train Station was a process that continued into 1996. During the Spirit of Tennessee event at the station that year, residents and members of the MCHS take a moment to pose on the RJ Corman. Dr. Martin, Mrs. Martin, Eleanor Williams, Alan Henderson, Benita Martin, Jay Albertia, and Mrs. Rubel are just a few of the people in this photograph. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Pictured here are state representative Carol Rice, current mayor Kim McMillian, then-mayor Don Trotter, Benita Martin, county executive Robert Thompson, and chair of the restoration team Jay Albertia as they take part in the 1996 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the main entrance of the L&N Train Station. Many attended this long-awaited event, including some from the Clarksville community. Among those in attendance were all of the volunteers who put in so many hours of their time to help make the transformation possible. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Lines have formed, and everyone is ready to board the Spirit of Tennessee, which has pulled into the station. The brightly painted cars kept everyone’s attention while they waited to embark. (Photographs by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Members of the community and the Montgomery County Historical Society pose for a group photograph in 1995 at the beginning stages of the restoration project. Bonita Martin, Mrs. Rubel, Jay Albertia, Alan Henderson, Bill Ogles, and Eleanor Williams are some of those pictured. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Four hardworking volunteers of the community are smiling broadly as they enjoy the nice weather and the Spirit of Tennessee visit. A lot of work went into the renovation process, so many residents came out to lend their support. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

Dr. Martin stops for a photograph while waiting in line to tour the Spirit of Tennessee. Many people came to visit with their friends and family while touring through the train station and walking aboard the Spirit of Tennessee. (Photograph by Benita Martin, courtesy of MCHS.)

The Spirit of Tennessee pulled into the L&N Train Station on Tenth Street to help celebrate the historic renovation of the structure and the Clarksville centennial. The train arrived in town on the August 11, 1996, ...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1. Fun in Clarksville
• 2. Views in Clarksville
• 3. Fort Campbell
• 4. Growth and Change