Sheila Hickman: Maury County Courthouse dome rises from the rust

In 1906 The Quarterly Court, now called the County Commission, dedicated the new Maury County Courthouse. The building was a gift to future generations and reflected the optimism brought by the new century. 

The crowning glory of the building seven stories above West Seventh Street is the dome and with its cupola and clock. Last week’s column told the story of the clock. Today I will give equal coverage to the dome with the golden ball on top.

When the dome was ninety-two years old in 1998, it was removed and recreated. Although the building is Indiana limestone, the dome is made of sheet metal. 

Knowing how the weather changes in Middle Tennessee, one can imagine that the old dome had suffered the wrath of the elements and generations of pigeons. According to the original plans by J. E. R. Carpenter, a Columbian who became a famous architect, the dome was to have looked somewhat different, resembling the courthouse dome in Murfreesboro. 

We can only guess why changes were made. Maury County is renowned for not following advice given by experts. Perhaps there was money involved. This mystery remains unsolved.

The dome overlooking West Seventh Street weighs about four tons. 

When it was removed for rehabilitation on January 13, 1998, a crane lowered the dome onto a lowboy, which carried it to the property below the archives. Appropriately this area is where Columbia and Maury began. The resting place for the old dome was near a pioneer ford and Columbia’s first bridge. The old pilings are still visible.

Imagine how exciting the removal of the dome must have been not just for the onlookers but also for the crane operator.

Examination of the dome revealed that it was riddled with holes and rusty. The metal joints had been caulked and filled with putty, an ineffective effort at preservation.   

Some attribute those holes to the weather; others say the holes came from another source. Originally there were eight spires or finials around the dome. Further observations revealed that the spires were made of hollow sheet metal. Some of the spires were bent; their bases were warped; some had been sawed off. The size of the dome was such that a car could have parked inside.

The architect, Robert Frere, designed the new dome to resemble its predecessor.

According to Mr. Frere replicating the dome was the most difficult part of courthouse renovation. After the dome was removed many pieces were sent to artists to duplicate the fancy details. The replacement is constructed on a steel frame fabricated by Campbellsville Industries in Kentucky.

County officials visited Campbellsville Industries in Taylor County, Kentucky, to see the progress being made on the dome. Campbellsville Industries is the largest and oldest manufacturer of fabricating domes, steeples, and cupolas. Pictures made by the architect show a most amazing design, reflecting the Kentuckians’ expertise. The officials learned that after the steel skeleton was complete the stamping of the molds for the details around the dome will begin. The molds were made in Canada from castings taken from the original dome. 

When the construction was completed, the dome was loaded on tractor trailer trucks divided into 18 compartments.

On May 4, 1999, the new dome was installed.

The parts were first assembled on the ground, and the pieces resembled a very large three dimensional jigsaw puzzle. With amazing skill and alacrity the workmen put the dome together. Then the large crane operator skillfully lifted the dome to its proper place on top of the courthouse.  The crowd cheered as another part of our courthouse was rejuvenated.

Mr. Ferer noted that the new cupola has replicas of the original finials and new lighting behind the clock. Ed Harlan was our county executive, and he had an expert come the next week to adjust the clock. Mr. Harlan dedicated the dome to the next century. The county’s budget director, A. C. Howell, said +that the county really got our money’s worth.

In the true spirit of all things historical, Bob Duncan, our county historian, placed a time capsule inside the dome. From his previous experiences with time capsules, I am certain that he had the container sealed.  Bob remarked that he hoped that this courthouse would be around another hundred years and the dome would need to be replaced again.

I have a collection of favorite tales about many Maury County people and things. There are two courthouse stories I love. 

Years ago when I was a little girl, The Daily Herald printed on April 1, a picture of our courthouse with a small airplane dangling from the dome. Of course, it was a joke for April Fools’ Day. 

Many people saw the picture and immediately drove to town. Many folks were sorely disappointed when someone asked if they knew what day it was.

The other story is more recent. When I worked at The Mediation Center, I loved being in town so close to the courthouse. 

One day, I came out to see a Columbia Fire Department’s hook and ladder truck leaning on the courthouse. The firemen were there not to douse a fire but to rescue some people stuck in the elevator.

Presently, our county commission is planning for another site for our courts. May they remember that our courthouse was a gift from the last century and that they have a responsibility to do whatever is necessary to protect and preserve our heritage.