You probably drive by them every day – clocks around the city.
Most of the large exterior clocks we see these
days are digital ones that show both the time and temperature,
but the real treasures are the antique clocks that
have been maintained, repaired or restored for years.
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A few weeks ago, while waiting for my daughter at the dentist office,
I paid closer attention to the post clock outside the building.
I pass by it every time I drive through town,
but since I had time while I was waiting, I
stepped outside to get a closer look.
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While standing there looking at the clock, a gal
walked toward me, who had come from across the
street to get a drink at a gas station.
She told me she worked for the jewelry store that
owns the clock. She answered several questions
I had and invited me to come into
the store to talk to the jeweler for more information.
I had the pleasure of meeting Steve Sturhahn. He’s part of the 3rd generation
of Sturhahn’s to operate the jewelry store and care for “The Sturhahn Clock”.
Steve told me this 4-face, post clock was made in Boston, MA in 1870 and
brought to Quincy, IL in 1905 by Thomas Brown of Brown’s Jewelry Store.
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In 1919, that jeweler closed his business and the clock fell into disrepair.
The city fathers wanted to remove the clock because
it had become such an eyesore, but Walter Sturhahn
acquired it instead, agreeing to have it fixed and maintained.
acquired it instead, agreeing to have it fixed and maintained.
He rebuilt and repaired it, and in 1926 had it installed
at the street intersection of his business.
Walter owned Sturhahn jewelers until his retirement in the 1950’s,
when three of his six sons (Grant, Harold & Don)
took over operating business and the ownership of the clock.
took over operating business and the ownership of the clock.
The youngest son, Don joined the family business in 1954
after serving in the Korean War and became the bench jeweler.
after serving in the Korean War and became the bench jeweler.
Don’s son, Steve entered the business at the age of 14
and when his father passed away in 1979, he took over the role as bench jeweler.
In 2004, Steve and his wife, Carol expanded and moved the business to a new location,
and the clock was relocated to a new street intersection in front of the store.
Two of Steve and Carol’s four children have also joined the business and
are carrying on Sturhahn family legacy.
Most post clocks, even the really old ones,
have long-since been converted to electric, but
what is unique about this clock is that like
all clocks in the “old days”, the mechanism inside is
weight-driven and therefore must be wound once a week.
Every Monday, one of the Sturhahn staff goes outside to wind it.
You can peek into the sides of the clock to see the mechanism.
Steve said he’d never set his watch to one of the
digital clocks around town. This clock is far
more accurate and reliable and won’t stop working when
the power goes out, as long as it gets wound weekly.
This clock is such a distinctive landmark in Quincy
and though it belongs to the Sturhahn family, Steve told me,
“Our family maintains it, but the clock really belongs to the whole city.”
What a wonderful legacy being passed down
through this family, which the whole city can enjoy.
I hope that clock continues to tick away
for at least another 100 years!
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Are there any old city clocks that are landmarks where you live?
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On our main street (where our house was the first residential building) we have an old clock that is lit at night. Sadly the jewelry store that it belongs to closed last year and the clock is no longer running. It was one of our last downtown businesses to remain open.
We still have the old clock tower that belongs to city hall and chimes on the quarter hour.
So glad you were not injured when your tire came off. Lovely post about your town clock. I will have to look more closely at our town clocks.
Blessings
Angie…Your Post has flooded me with memories…One of Indianapolis’s Landmarks has been the Clock that anchored on the main department store L.S. Ayres building…It was placed in 1936, weighed 10,000 pounds, and from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve a Bronze Cherub has been placed to guard the Holiday shoppers…Thanks for the memories…Blessings, Becky
very cool. i love that you can peek inside and see the mechanism.
Whenever I travel I always look for the old clocks and drinking fountains….they are priceless!
It’s amazing how many wonderful time-honored things are disappearing. Our town built a clock tower back around the year 2000, so it’s not from the old days. It’s rarely got the right time on it either. I relish the sight of such treasures as the clock you shared. What fun to hear that story. Thanks for taking the time to gather all of that information and the pictures and present it to us. And just think, you are helping to preserve their legacy!
Liz
This was a really enjoyable and informative post. Loved all the pictures and seeing the family members through the years.
It’s a beautiful clock, Angie! As much as you love clocks, I’m a bit surprised that you haven’t found a way to take it home with you! Thank you for sharing it’s interesting History at Potpourri Friday!