Downtown Gadsden installed a new clock on the corner of Court and Broad streets on the 4th Street block on Thursday, June 16.
In the early 1900s, a clock tower was located at the courthouse on 4th and Court streets. In later years, clocks at 3rd street and 6th streets provided the time for visitors downtown. With all the clocks demolished over time, it is only fitting to place a new clock as a downtown timepiece.
In fact, the location was chosen because it was the location of the old courthouse.
“This is the best spot we could historically get,” said Kay Moore of Downtown Gadsden, Inc.
To make the space available the “Charm” sculpture that was there was removed. “Charm” is currently in storage, but according to Moore, it should be relocated at a different point of Broad Street. Deciding the clock’s location was difficult for the city.
“We don’t have a lot of free space downtown,” said Moore.
Moore had wanted to provide downtown with a clock for a long time, even keeping a photo for inspiration at her desk.
The clock was finally made possible when Jane Miles approached Moore about raising money for a clock.
Miles, who owns property downtown, recently raised the money to fund the purchase of the clock. She began raising $25,000 for the project in February.
“She loves downtown,” said Moore about Miles. “She wants downtown to be a beautiful place, a place where people like to come. So she took it on herself to raise the money to purchase this clock.”
The 600 pound, 15 foot eight inch tall clock is four sided and inscribed with the words “Downtown Gadsden.”
The clock was originally $18,000, but was purchased at a discount. The money raised covered the delivery and will cover installation and wiring of the clock, as well.
The money raised by Miles will also be used to make additional improvements in downtown Gadsden, including lights for trees and flowers on curbs and around poles on Broad Street.
“She wants to colorize downtown with flowers,” said Moore. “She has all kinds of different ideas. The more money we raise, the more we can do.”