Kenne - Jean Woods

Clarksville TN Area Guide

Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, and is the fifth largest city in the state. The population was approximately 103,500 at the 2000 census. Clarksville is the principal central city of the Clarksville, TN-KY metropolitan statistical area, which consists of Montgomery County, Stewart County, Tennessee, Christian County, Kentucky and Trigg County, Kentucky.

Clarksville is the home of Austin Peay State University, The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper, and neighbor to the Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States Army post. Fort Campbell is the home of the 101st Airborne Division, and is located approximately 10 miles from downtown Clarksville, straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky state line.
The city’s nicknames are “The Queen City”, “Queen of the Cumberland” and “Gateway to the New South”. The slogan “Tennessee's Top Spot” was introduced as a new city “brand” in April 2008.

Clarksville History

Clarksville was designated as a town to be settled in part by soldiers from the disbanded Continental Army that served under General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. At the end of the war, the federal government lacked sufficient funds to repay the soldiers, so the Legislature of North Carolina, in 1790, designated the lands to the west of the state line as federal lands that could be used in the land grant program. Since the area of Clarksville had been surveyed and sectioned into plots, it was identified as a territory deemed ready for settlement. The land was available to be settled by the families of eligible soldiers as repayment of service to their country.

On January 16, 1784, John Armstrong filed notice with the Legislature of North Carolina to create the town of Clarksville, named after General George Rogers Clark. Even before it was officially designated a town, many lots had been sold. In October of 1785, Col. Robert Weakley laid off the town of Clarksville for Martin Armstrong and Col. Montgomery, and Weakley had the choice of lots for his services. After an official survey by James Sanders, Clarksville was founded by the North Carolina Legislature on December 29, 1785. It was the second town to be founded in the area.

The tobacco trade in the area grew larger every year and in 1789, Montgomery and Martin Armstrong persuaded lawmakers to designate Clarksville as an inspection point for tobacco. In 1790, Isacc Rowe Peterson staked a claim to Dunbar Cave, just northeast of downtown. As time progressed into the 19th century, Clarksville grew at a rapid pace. By 1806, the town realized the need for an educational institution, and the Rural Academy was established that year. Later, the Rural Academy would be replaced by the Mount Pleasant Academy. By 1819, the newly-established town had 22 stores, including a bakery and silversmith. In 1820, steamboats begin to navigate the Cumberland, bringing hardware, coffee, sugar, fabric, and glass. In 1829, the first bridge connecting Clarksville to New Providence was built over the Red River. In 1855, Clarksville was incorporated as a city. Railroad service came to the town on October 1, 1859 in the form of the Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad. The line would later connect with other railroads at Paris, Tennessee and Guthrie, Kentucky.

The 1920s brought much growth to the city. Travel wise, a bus line between Clarksville and Hopkinsville was established in 1922. 1927 saw the creation of Austin Peay Normal School, later to become Austin Peay State University. Two more theaters were added, the Majestic and the Capitol Theaters, both in 1928.
The largest change to the city came in 1942, as construction of Camp Campbell (now known as Fort Campbell) began. The new army base ten miles northwest of the city, and capable of holding 23,000 troops, gave an immediate boost to the population and economy of Clarksville.

Clarksville Parks and Recreation

Clarksville has a wide base of recreational venues that satisfy many sports enthusiasts' needs. Heritage Park, one of the state's top soccer sites, has eight fields and is host to several statewide and regional soccer tournaments. The complex is the site for recreational league play, as well as a number of area tournaments.
Clarksville offers 25 parks and five community centers for recreational opportunities. The city also provides five community pools and several recreational sports leagues.
Special Programs and events are coordinated during the year for all ages. The Summer Program is just one of the programs offered by the department. A six-week program that provides safe and entertaining recreational activities for all ages 6-16, the Summer Program is free and is hosted at 13 sites around the area.
Water sports are abundant in Clarksville and Montgomery County. Whether you enjoy water skiing, jet skiing or fishing, the area offers a beautiful setting for fun in the sun. The area's Cumberland River was named one of the top cat fishing spots in the U.S. by Field & Stream.

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Clarksville Events and Attractions

Clarksville is home to many spectacular events and attractions that are perfect for everyone in your family and friends. Come enjoy the Downtown Market, an evening at one of the theatre productions or one of the area’s many festivals. See below for more ideas!

Downtown Market
The Market will be open on Saturdays at One Public Square from 8:00am to 1:00pm each Saturday during market season. The Market will feature fresh, locally grown produce, nursery stock, hand-made craft items and other commodities available on a seasonal basis.

The Parks After Dark Series
Looking for fun, inexpensive ways to beat the summertime blues? Look no further than The City of Clarksville’s “Parks After Dark” summer entertainment series. Each month we host “Movies in the Park” at Heritage Park and “Concerts in the Park” at McGregor Park. Also, be on the lookout for our highly anticipated “Theatre in the Park” to be held later this summer at McGregor Park.

Riverfest
Riverfest celebrates the river heritage of Clarksville, Tennessee. The FREE festival offers a variety of musical and visual art entertainment, delicious food, inflatables for kids of all ages and lots of river related activities such as the Riverfest Regatta, Lighted Boat Parade and wakeboard demonstrations all set along the banks of the beautiful Cumberland River.

Jammin’ in the Alley
Every third Friday from May through October Strawberry Alley will come alive from 6- 9p.m. with the sights, smells and sounds of summer. Free concerts, outdoor dining, shopping and just lazing around will be the recipe for enjoyment as residents mingle, eat, dance and enjoy music.

Cumberland RiverWalk
Stroll the meandering Cumberland RiverWalk, the city's signature riverfront promenade. The internationally acclaimed RiverWalk is the centerpiece of the River Distict and includes an amphitheater, overlook plazas, a playground, picnic facilities, wharf, boat ramp, pedestrian overpass, and performance stages.

Dunbar Cave
Dunbar Cave State Natural Area is open every day from 8 a.m. until sunset. Periodic programs are conducted by the park staff, along with guided tours of the cave and slide shows. The park also offers picnic tables, hiking trails, and fishing.

Beachaven Vineyards & Winery
Visit Beachaven Winery and enjoy free tours and tastings at one of Tennessee's foremost commercial wineries. Known for producing award-winning wines and champagnes, Beachaven provides a glimpse into the centuries-old art of wine making. A picturesque Tudor-style building, on-site vineyards, distinctive gift items, and a shaded picnic area make Beachaven a delightful and memorable destination.

Roxy Regional Theatre
The Roxy Regional Theatre, Clarksville's oldest professional theatre, offers patrons a combination of professional company shows (performed by actors from throughout the country) and community offerings. Housed in a 1947 odern-art theatre, the Roxy produces 10 mainstage events annually. The Roxy's "Other Space" produces four new scripts a year in it's 40-seat black-box theatre.