CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Gary the Guardrail was a local legend who persisted through every fender bender and side swipe, and many grieved his loss when it was announced that Gary would be going away. But now, his legacy has been enshrined just a few trailer-lengths from his original post, at nearby O’Connor’s Pub.
Gary came from humble beginnings at the corner of Trenton and Tylertown Roads. According to his memorial, he first came to Clarksville in 2018. For years, Gary endured misfortune at the wheels of semi-trucks. Every few months, Gary took a beating from tractor trailers, which repeatedly ran into, and over, the guardrail due to the tight and challenging turn.
As a result, the mangled guardrail became a local celebrity with his own Facebook page, support petition, and fans who left him get-well balloons. Google Maps even acknowledged Gary as a hyperlinked “historical landmark” on the platform, with 35 reviews and a 5-star rating.
On Sept. 19, the Clarksville Street Department announced that road work and construction would begin that day. According to previous reports, crews began working in the southeast corner of the intersection to install a junction, eliminating the need for a guardrail, and more specifically, Gary.
O’Connor’s Pub enshrines Gary for final resting place
While many grieved the loss of the infamous guardrail, O’Connor’s Pub was working behind the scenes to breathe life into his memory, refusing to let his name fall into obscurity…