Clarksville’s historical heart just got a facelift, and it’s nothing short of impressive. The city has wrapped up its project to restore the iconic entrance arch at Public Square, in front of what is now the City Council Chambers and City Court. The original terracotta arch, boasting a history of about 110 years, had seen better days, so enter Lyle Cook Martin Architects to spearhead its restoration. To retain its historical charm, the firm worked with Clarksville Foundry, Inc., known for their expertise in historic castings, to craft a replica faithful to the original’s Victorian Romanesque style.
At a ribbon-cutting earlier today, Mayor Joe Pitts wasn’t shy about his enthusiasm, saying, “This project has exemplified a true team effort that logically worked, bringing people together who genuinely care about Clarksville history, to exhaust every possible means of preserving an important piece of historic Clarksville architecture,” according to a statement released by the City of Clarksville. Clearly, this is more than just preservation; it’s about maintaining Clarksville’s unique visual identity that makes it a standout.
Digging deeper, Lane Lyle of the architectural firm shed light on the challenges they faced, saying the replication process proved “to be far more intricate and demanding than anticipated,” reflecting a commitment to authenticity, as reported by the city’s official website. The ambitious project kicked off with the City’s Municipal Properties Department reaching out in November 2022, quickly finding that repair was off the table. Research pointed straight to a metal casting solution, leading to a national hunt for a firm that could handle the fabrication of complex 3D models necessary for such a precise historic reconstruction…