CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The “Gateway to the New South” rose to prominence during the 19th century, in part, because of its tobacco. Even one of the town’s newspapers was named The Tobacco Leaf.
So, in 1898, the federal government built a customs house and a post office at the corner of Second and Commerce streets. Located up the street from the Cumberland River, the building helped process the increasing volumes of mail to and from the city.
In 1984, the building was transformed into the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center — touted as the “state’s second-largest general interest museum.” The museum features a number of permanent exhibits, including the postmaster’s office and “Memory Lane,” which is dedicated to telling the story of Clarksville and Montgomery County’s history.
Federal Treasury Supervising Architect William Martin Aiken designed the building, which was built for slightly more than $32,000. The building features a unique collection of influences and includes a Far east-influenced slate roof and Italianate ornamentation.
Aiken also designed a number of other famous buildings throughout the country, including the Denver Mint and the Philadelphia Mint.
In 1972, the Customs House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, log onto www.customshousemuseum.org.