Travel: Postcards from Clarksville, Tennessee

The town, which was an early frontier front post and then a port for steamers carrying cigarettes and cotton, is today a hidden gem.

Clarksville, a seat in Montgomery County, maintains the small town feel, despite the fact that the last census has become the fifth largest city in the Volunteer State.

Downtown is located on the hill above the Cumberland River, near the confluence with the Red River. With a few exceptions, including a parking garage and a 5,500-seat F&M Bank Arena, the streets of Main and Franklin Streets are primarily red brick buildings from the second half of the 19th century. Other recent additions belong to the Austimpy State University campus.

Four buildings in two times, two spiritual – serve as downtown landmarks. Postbellum Montgomery County Courthouse, Customs Museum and Cultural Center, Trinity Episcopal Parish, First Presbyterian Church. Given the number of fires and tornadoes that have tortured Clarksville over the years, it’s surprising that any of the buildings survive.

As the name suggests, the museum – in fact, one of the better local museums I’ve visited over the years occupies a former federal building that helped me collect imported obligations. . The building, which is undoubtedly a jewel of Clarksville’s crown, looks like a Renaissance-era guildhall in a provincial town somewhere in France or Belgium.

The church, on the other hand, is rather typical, with pointy windows that reflect the fashion Victorian Gothic style of the time. The first Presbyterians looked even more impressive simply because they could have an unobstructed view of the façade and twin spires from the Commons in Downtown, an urban park that occupies the entire block directly across from the church. . There are limited or no visitors outside the scheduled prayer hours, so you will need to attend Sunday services to see the interior of either church.

Fifteen miles from downtown are the historic Collinsville. The 40-acre open-air museum depicts rural Tennessee life before and after the civil war between 16 original buildings and interpreters. Unfortunately, the season will close this month and will not resume until spring.

If you’re going

Visit the old school Roxy Theatre, built in 1947, and replace the burnt-out old theatre. It is no longer a film venue, but it hosts theatrical productions. Upcoming shows include “A Charles Dickens Christmas” from November 29th to December 14th. Speaking of the holiday season, Cumberland Christmas returns every night from November 23rd to January 3rd with over a million lights lit up the riverside of McGregor Park. , 2025.

Grab a cup of coffee or light meals in the main sanctuary. The Hipster Café, which includes space for yoga and special events, is located in one of the oldest buildings in Clarksville. It was once a Methodist church, but the meeting-style building appeared in the 1830s.

Other recommended restaurants are the post office and federal buildings that were abolished in the 1930s, and mail rooms in Yada at Franklin and Old Glory Restaurant & Silo Park.

I stayed at Holiday Inclerksville North East. It was a completely great hotel, but I would probably book a room at the DoubleTree, which was recently opened by Hilton Clarksville Riverview on a return visit due to an excellent location in downtown. Many of the 156 rooms offer views of the Cumberland River.

Nashville, which has the nearest major airport, is 1 hour. Clarksville is a 4-5 hour drive from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Atlanta.

Dennis Lennox is a travel column for Christian Post.