Sunday was an historic day for Bradley County. A small crowd of people began gathering during the early daylight hours as construction crews started the process of lifting the Courthouse’s cupola and dome to the top of the history-filled building.
This phase of the project to help renovate the clock tower began January 10 of this year. That’s when crews with Diversified Construction and Design of El Dorado began the arduous process of removing the top of the clock tower.
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Top photo: Crews with Diversified Construction and Design of El Dorado gently guide the massive bell housing section onto the Bradley County Courthouse clock tower Sunday, December 18, 2022 as a crane lifts and holds the renovated structure in place. Photo by Gregg Reep.
Hauled down in one section, from above the clock, the historic upper section of Bradley County’s most beloved building has been a mainstay feature throughout last winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Work came to a standstill in May when some unexpected issues arose after crews delved deeper into the renovation project. Originally, it was thought that the tower might be restored to the top of the building by the Pink Tomato Festival, but that timetable was pushed back as the project moved forward. Not only was that for the best in terms of the construction, but the 2022 Tomato Festival provided an extremely unique opportunity for thousands of locals and visitors alike to see the cupola section up close for the first time. The 2022 Festival will be the only festival in history, at least to-date, that the bell tower was on such display for all to see. And may we hope that none of us today get a chance to see it when it’s renovated next time.
No one alive when the building was originally constructed is alive today to tell of its first days in the sky above Bradley County’s seat, Warren. The great structure we see today was built in 1903. Frank W. Gibb was the architect who designed its hallowed halls and “classical characteristics.” It wasn’t the first Bradley County Courthouse to call the court square home. In fact, it was the third to sit atop the tall hill in the center of Warren, the first being a temporary structure built to sustain the local government in 1843.
According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, the tower situated on the western side of the building was a hallmark of architect Frank W. Gibb.
For 119 years the tower has looked over the surrounding City of Warren. On clear days it looms with views miles into the tall pines of the County’s rural lands. It has witnessed 67 Bradley County Pink Tomato Festivals, 21 different Presidents of the United States, two world wars, and the establishment of the Warren YMCA. The Courthouse has also survived two deadly tornadoes to hit Warren, one in 1949 and another in 1975.
As crews hoisted the newly renovated tower onto its perch Sunday around midday, not only was the skyline of Warren restored, but hope for the next century of Bradley County’s future was given and pondered upon by those residents who watched as the building took shape once again.
A tremendous thank you to the crews of Diversified Construction and Design for their hard work in making Sunday possible. Also, a huge thank you to the Bradley County Quorum Court for their efforts in this restoration project. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney, who has successfully led the way and guided the process along even when problems arose.
May this tower last another 120 years and beyond. To the future citizens of Bradley County, we ask that you be as good of stewards of Bradley County history as those who worked to bring this project to fruition.
MORE PHOTOS COMING TUESDAY
Editor’s Note: This is just a portion of our coverage of the clocktower raising event. We will have a larger number of photos in a special photo only post Tuesday. I also want to thank both Tim Kessler and my father, Gregg Reep, for their photo contributions to this article and the photo special to come. While I was present for a large portion of the morning, I had a prior engagement out of state, which meant I was not able to be on site for the final lifting of the tower. Both Tim and Gregg’s help in covering this event are much appreciated. They both did a fantastic job. – Rob Reep
Please also enjoy the above drone video from Paul Outlaw showing the final stages of the tower being set.