You’ve probably passed by them many times, but never paid them much attention. There are two historic non-functioning clocks on High Street in Downtown Columbus, and the Downtown Residents Association wants to restore them to their former glory. The restoration serves a dual purpose as the clocks represent one part historic landmark and one part public art project.
We recently spoke to DRAC President Susan Ungar to find out more.
Q: How did the idea come about for clock restoration project?
A: DRAC wanted to do something special for the 200th anniversary of Columbus in 2012, so we formed a Bicentennial Committee of our members a couple years ago. We wanted to give something back to our Downtown, and we wanted the project to reflect both the history of our city, and the vibrant future that we are all helping to build. We held several committee meetings and after numerous ideas, we decided that we wanted to try to restore the two remaining historic street clocks that are downtown. We thought that it would be a great thing to restore these nearly 100 year old pieces of art to working condition. As we studied them, we realized how special they are – and how beautiful they could be. We met with the city and it was decided that we would need to get the owners of these clocks (the owners of the buildings they sit in front of) to agree to transfer ownership of the clocks over to the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District (SID). The SID board agreed that if we were able to raise sufficient funds to restore the clocks, as well as set up a maintenance fund, they would accept ownership and maintain them. They will also serve as our fiscal agent and manage the project for us.
Q: With everyone these days having watches, cell phones and other devices displaying digital time, what is the significance of providing working clocks on our streets?
A: Good question. We discussed this, and although their function harkens back to another era, these clocks are pieces of Columbus history. They are (or could be) functional public art, and we feel that they will be admired and used by the thousands of people who walk by them every day — you wouldn’t have to pull your phone out of your pocket to check the time. People may not even notice them now, but once restored, they will. We loved the idea of returning something from nearly 100 years ago back to public use.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the individual clocks being explored for this project, their location, and their history?
A: We had a clock restoration company from Cincinnati look at the clocks. They told us that the clock that sits at the NE corner of High St. and Lynn Alley is the older of the two and that it is approximately 100 years old. It currently sits in front of, and is owned by the Church of Scientology. The church has agreed to transfer ownership of the clock to the Capital Crossroads SID. The clock that sits at the SW corner of South High St. and Town St. is a remarkably detailed Art Deco style Seth Thomas clock from the 1920s or 1930s – one of only a handful like it remaining in the country. We have not been able to acquire ownership of this clock.
Q: Are there any plans to add new clocks in the future?
A: We have spoken to COSI, who owns a 1918 street clock which originally sat at 21 East Gay St. (in front of the proposed Zen Cha Tea Salon). After a couple meetings, they have agreed to donate this historic clock to DRAC so that we might have it restored and returned to it’s original spot. We have had initial discussions with the owner of that building and are excited about the possibility of placing this clock back on Gay Street. We would be open to other new clocks if we are able to raise the funds. Everyone asks about the clock that used to sit in front of the Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus at 161 N. High St. We have spoken to owner Dick Stevens and he informed us that it was destroyed in a storm several years ago.
Q: So what exactly is DRAC’s role in this restoration process?
A: DRAC has $10,000 as an organization that we have been able to save, so we are dedicating that toward the project. We applied for and received a $10,000 grant from the Neighborhood Partnership Fund of the United Way, and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC) has committed $5,000 toward the project. The Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus held a fundraiser and raised $206 for our project. We will continue to work on this project, fine tune cost estimates and raise funds in order to try to get the project completed in 2012. We know that we will need several thousand more dollars in order to restore at least two of the clocks.
Q: How can readers get involved, contribute or keep up to date with the status of this project?
A: The SID is in the process of setting up an account that we can direct people to so that they can make a tax deductible donation. We will post information on our website so that people can stay informed of the status of our project. We will also send updates to everyone through our monthly newsletter that you can sign up for on our website.
For more information, visit DRAColumbus.com.