CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A group of close to 40 art and history lovers came together downtown Tuesday for the dedication of a new mural at the site of the old train bridge across Commerce Street.

The Clarksville Arts and Heritage Council hosted the dedication ceremony of the “Last Train to Clarksville,” mural which features a train crashing through the wall of the pillar that supports the pedestrian bridge near Cats on Commerce.

Dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dr. Ellen Kanervo at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Photographer David Smith at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Artist Ricky Cavaness at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Artist Ricky Cavaness signs the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Chloe Ficklin, Ricky Cavaness, Mayor Joe Pitts, Dr. Ellen Kanervo, Mayor Wes Golden, David Smith, City Councilwoman Wanda Smith, at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Artist Ricky Cavaness signs a brick for Councilwoman Wanda Smith at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Artist Ricky Cavaness signs a brick for Mayor Wes Golden at the dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Broken pieces of brick hang at the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Dedication of the “Last Train to Clarksville” mural on the pillar supporting the pedestrian bridge across Commerce St. in downtown Clarksville on Nov. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The mural has been years in the making. Clarksville artist Ricky Cavaness said the painting took about five months, and he just wrapped up Tuesday morning. Cavaness signed parts of painted broken bricks for guests.

The idea was the brainchild of David Smith, a photographer and board member of the AHDC. Smith said he took one of his photos of a train coming through the old Clarksville train station, gave it to Cavaness and asked him to come up with something.

“This is a way to promote our city, this is a way for people to come and get their pictures taken in front of this and tag Visit Clarksville. We’re growing, and we’ve got to be a destination, and our downtown has to be a destination,” Smith said. Smith added that it was a perfect way to get people here and another way to promote Clarksville and our history.

“Last Train to Clarksville” was a 1966 hit by The Monkees. While the AHDC acknowledges that the songwriters didn’t have Clarksville, Tennessee, in mind when writing the song, it’s still a good way to draw attention to the city and our railroad and military roots.

The number of the train at the top of the mural, 0831 1968, indicates the date L&N Railroad ended passenger service in Clarksville, Feb. 28, 1968. The Tennessee Central Line sent its last passenger train through on Aug. 31 that year.