The City of Millington is engaging its community in a concerted effort to determine the future of The Harrold, a storied structure at Leroy Boatwright and Easley, and is calling on residents to offer their visions for its restoration, Action News 5 reports. The Harrold, acknowledged as one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city, has seen better days; it was built in 1911 and has functioned as both a store and a restaurant before succumbing to years of neglect and partial structural collapse.
According to WREG, City Manager Frankie Dakin highlighted the significance of the "Save the Harrold" initiative, which was sparked by the younger segment of the community and has been pivotal to the building's potential revival. "For the last seven or eight years, it has just sat vacant and started to deteriorate. By the time the city acquired it, we weren’t even sure if the building could be saved, and so it was really important to hear from those young people members of our community who said, 'Hey, try to do everything you can to preserve the structure,'" said Dakin. The city purchased the property in 2024, after which preservation work was undertaken to ensure its stability.
This campaign now moves into a participatory phase where the community is encouraged to submit proposals on how to best repurpose the historic edifice. The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen, in the fall of 2024, showed their support for this local heritage by voting to authorize the purchase of the Harrold Building, BizJournals states. As the city awaits public input, the future of The Harrold remains an open canvas for civic imagination and innovation.
Adding a personal perspective to the narrative, Montanah Caldwell, a former Millington High School Student City Council Member, shared with WREG her deep connection to The Harrold, "The Harrold Building holds some of my oldest memories, from weekly meals with my grandparents to moments that stayed with me long after. Knowing it will be saved means my future kids, and other families, can build their own memories there too," she said; Dakin also emphasizes the importance of reconciling preservation with progress, stating: "Millington residents deserve quality public spaces built for our community. Thanks to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the young residents who advocated to preserve the Harrold Building, we have a chance to do something meaningful for residents of all ages to enjoy," said Dakin.
