This fascinating look back traces Patch’s journey from ambitious inventor to manufacturing pioneer, highlighting the perseverance, innovation and craftsmanship that fueled the success of the Black Hawk brand. The story also explores the lasting connection between Patch’s legacy and Clarksville’s rich industrial history.

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As part of the “Made Here in Clarksville” series, this feature explores the foundry’s remarkable journey through more than a century and a half of American industry. From historic roots to modern-day production, the article showcases how Clarksville Foundry continues to contribute to the local economy while serving customers across the country and around the world.

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In this behind-the-scenes feature, WKRN takes a closer look at the people, processes and enduring legacy that have allowed Clarksville Foundry to thrive through generations of technological change. The story highlights the skill, dedication and innovation that continue to define the foundry’s work today.

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From the beginning, developers sought imaginative ways to weave a baseball theme into the development’s aesthetics. The sign design with the unusual bat and baseball features was the creation of Elizabeth Mabry and Caleb Kirkman. Local craftsman Shawn Charron, owner of Metalration Metal Fabricators and Clarksville Foundry, Inc. (CFI), became involved. To bring the vision to life, Charron designed oversized baseballs and bats. He created a CAD model of the ball and a wood pattern for the bat. He then approached Clarksville Foundry about the possibility of casting the items to be used in the themed signage. The project was assigned to CFI Engineering Manager Dillon Nottingham, who used the CAD model of the ball to design a 3D printed sand mold to cast the baseball in aluminum. The model for the sand mold was provided to Humtown Additive, who printed the molds used for casting the oversized balls. The finished product was stunning and included details that would not have been possible without the capabilities of 3D sand printing.  Once Clarksville Foundry completed the castings, Charron included them in the final fabrication of the unique signage.

These artistic installations now serve as striking signage throughout the development, an eye-catching and meaningful tribute to Lisenbee’s enduring legacy.

The Legend Behind the Name

Horace Milton “Hod” Lisenbee was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, on September 23, 1898. At age 12, he left school to help support his family, spending the next nine years laboring in the region’s tobacco fields. Despite the odds, Lisenbee never gave up on his dream of playing professional baseball.

After being turned down by several minor league teams, he finally secured a spot with the Brookhaven Truckers in Mississippi in 1924. His journey took him through teams in Memphis and Tupelo, and by 1927, he was pitching in the Major Leagues for the Washington Senators.

Lisenbee’s MLB pitching debut included a legendary moment. Facing the New York Yankees, he was ordered to “walk” Babe Ruth, but chose instead to challenge the “Sultan of Swat.” Remarkably, he struck Ruth out three times, leading the Senators to a memorable victory.

Lisenbee went on to pitch for the Boston Red Sox (1929–1932), Philadelphia Athletics (1936), and Cincinnati Reds (1945). Over his career, he played eight seasons in the Majors and nineteen in the Minors, a testament to his dedication and talent.

After retiring from professional baseball, Lisenbee returned home to Clarksville, where he co-owned and managed the Clarksville Colts from 1946 to 1948, eventually purchasing the team outright. However, financial difficulties and team performance struggles led him to sell the team later that year.

In 1998, the Clarksville City Council recognized Lisenbee’s contributions by renaming a portion of Dover Road (U.S. 79), near the Dover Crossing intersection, as the Hod Lisenbee Memorial Highway. The commemorative sign stands near the 800-acre farm where he spent his final years.

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The sculpture is the first public art piece in the newly opened Downtown Commons. Each individual casting of the sphere mimics the design of the First Presbyterian Church’s rose windows, which overlook the park. Clarksville Foundry reproduced the church’s bell tower windows in 2015 after the original wooden casings were showing significant signs of wear and tear.

The Collaboration

“Window to the World” illuminated at Downtown Commons. Clarksville Foundry completed the castings for this public art sculpture.

Several months ago, Clarksville Foundry President Charles Foust Jr. saw a sculpture by longtime friend and frequent collaborator Randall, an art professor at the State University of New York-Cortland. It sparked an idea to connect Downtown Commons to the historic architecture surrounding it. First, Randall created sketches and patterns for the piece. In turn, these patterns were then sent to Clarksville Foundry for casting. The resulting ductile iron sphere-shaped sculpture, with a diameter of 8 feet, features 92 individual castings.

“As a longtime supporter of Downtown Clarksville and a parishioner of First Presbyterian Church, I wanted to do something that not only united, but celebrated, these various institutions,” Foust said. “Public art at Downtown Commons was a must, and I knew Vaughn Randall would understand the vision. It’s been exciting to work with him and see the sculpture come together.”

Randall came to Clarksville, along with studio assistant Erin Schiano, to assemble the finished castings into the rust-colored sculpture in the days prior to the unveiling, April 18.

“Erin and I made (similar) 5-foot diameter ball prior to this piece,” Randall said. “I was looking at geometries and seeds … (and) what it is about humanity that makes us build things?”

Downtown Commons serves as a public gathering space equipped for concerts, outdoor festivals and family activities. Randall pointed out the Romanesque style of the First Presbyterian Church circular windows and the many parts it takes to make a whole – a sentiment that has applications in both religion and community life.

“This piece for me is more about the fact that this church appears to be the community center and impetus for this whole park,” Randall said.

The Foundry worked with Vaughn Randall previously to produce “Rosette Bobbin” sculpture, an 8,000-pound ductile iron masterpiece. Reminiscent of a wagon wheel with elements of a church rose window, a replica sits on a 5,000-pound limestone base on Clarksville Foundry’s front lawn. The original sculpture, which featured 26 individual castings from Clarksville Foundry, was installed in August 2006 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

It took roughly two days for Randall and Schiano to assemble the Downtown Commons sculpture, using a system of straps, jacks and levers as the pair methodically bolted together the individual castings.

“What I like about art – sculpture especially – is that every time I build a piece, it’s an adventure to try to figure out how to put it together,” Randall said.

The Naming

Two Rivers Company, a downtown revitalization organization, sponsored a sculpture naming contest. “Window to the World” was the name selected from a pool of more than 40 entries. Submitted by former Presbyterian pastor Robert Lueck, he cited the sculpture’s connection to the house of worship’s windows and what it symbolizes for the community at large.

“The church presence in downtown Clarksville is approaching two centuries, and it has both witnessed and participated in many of the community’s historic events,” said Two Rivers Company Executive Director Norman Quirion, during the name unveiling. “This sculpture embodies the outer vision needed to be responsive to a changing world.”

“Window to the World” was commissioned for Downtown Commons by the Montgomery County Commission and the Public Art Committee.

“This sculpture is a celebration of Downtown Commons and reflects a community coming together,” Foust said. “Supporting the arts has always been an interest of mine, and this piece is meaningful because it does serve as a window to Clarksville – reflecting a rich history and great vision to move forward. Clarksville Foundry has been a part of that history for more than 150 years, and we continue to find meaningful ways to support and enhance our community.”

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