Historic Bolivar, Part 4

It's time for another Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer. I hope you'll stop by, say hello to Susan, and check out all the other participants. Thank you, Susan, for making this event possible

As promised, here's the tour of the Court Square area of Bolivar, Tennessee, population 5,802.

The third and current courthouse was built in 1868. The first building was moved to its current location and serves as the Hardeman County Museum. The second was destroyed during the Civil War. You can read about it in "Historic Bolivar, Part 2." Just click HERE and scroll down to the "Little Courthouse."

This bust is a likeness of Simon Bolivar for whom the county was named. Read about him HERE.
Looking across the Courthouse lawn toward an attractive row of offices and businesses.

A view of the Courthouse from the barber shop on the corner. Isn't the ironwork attractive? I'm sure you know why barber poles have "candy stripes." It will be interesting to see who tells us in a comment. Lori E.?


The pedestrian walkway is a new feature of a recent downtown renovation.

An AT&T Wiresless store reminds us we're in the 21st Century!

Live music on the square on Friday nights is a recent development. A friend I ran into while I was there said over 1000 people turned up to hear the music last friday night. Locals considered that a great success!

The old bank building on the corner appears lit from within ...

Because it no longer has a roof. A fire damaged it severely and destroyed neighboring buildings.

A view from the other side ...

This stock photo shows the buildings that were destroyed (including a popular restaurant I've enjoyed visiting).

The old US Post Office in the same block is still in use.
Now alone since neighboring buildings burned to the ground. There have been tentative plans to build a downtown hotel on the site (on hold due to the current state of the economy).


One building that hasn't had a facelift is the old Luez movie theater.

Still showing current films!

A successful decorator's shop, just down from the square ... Barrett & Stevens. They did several of the window treatments for this house (some of you have seen them in the background of Tablescape Thursday posts).

More PINK anyone? I haven't dined at Opal's ... but if I ever do, I'll let you know!

The new farmer's market. Not huge ... but definitely an asset to this community.

The next stock photo represents perhaps the most interesting architecture I've shown you in this series of posts.

And is part of a fascinating and horrific story ....

I hope you'll be back for the final installment ...