The clock and 1905 cupola from the old Central School sits on the southeast corner of the James Short Parkade, just north of the Petro Canada Centre in downtown Calgary.
The Calgary Watch and Clock Collector's Association has restored and installed a 1904 Howard Tower Clock in the cupola.
From: Pathways, Fall/Winter 2005, Calgary Parks Foundation (
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It’s been fifteen years since Doug Sinclair began volunteering with Parks Foundation, Calgary (PFC). Doug’s love for clocks is hereditary; he apprenticed under his father in the jewellery and watch industry before working for a local jeweller.
In 1990, as the president of the Calgary Watch and Clock Club, Doug was approached by PFC to help find a clock for James Short Park. The park already had a cupola, but needed a clock.
Through diligent efforts, Doug and fellow members of the club were able to locate an old Howard round-top clock. Further investigation revealed the clock was brought to Calgary in 1904 and placed on top of Burns Block. The Burns Block was within walking distance of Central School, which opened in 1905 as the first high school in Calgary. Made of sandstone, the school had an elaborate cupola but no clock. In 1938, the school was renamed James Short School in honour of its first principal.
The school and the Burns Block were torn down in 1969. The cupola and the clock however, were salvaged and placed in storage. Through the efforts of PFC and concerned citizens, 2.4 million dollars were raised for the construction of James Short Park. The cupola was refurbished and installed at the old school grounds on Centre Street SW between 4th and 5th Avenues, but it was still missing a clock.
Enter Doug and his group of volunteers. Though it took months of hard work, Doug and his crew were able to refinish the Burns Block clock. Tasks ranged from replacing worn-out parts to painting the clock a brilliant green with gold trim.
In September 1990, Doug assisted in moving the restored clock from storage into its new house, the James Short School cupola. For so many years the clock and the cupola were separated by a few city blocks, now they were together - two pieces of Calgary history, as old as the province itself, in one location.
Although he has since left the watch and clock club, Doug Sinclair continues to volunteer with PFC. Up until last year, Doug (who is 65 years old) was climbing up a 30-foot ladder and through a ventilation shaft to access the clockroom and wind the clock twice a week. That’s dedication; cold or hot, rain or shine, Doug has volunteered through it all.
Since injuring himself last year, Doug splits the work with employees at the City of Calgary. They each now wind the clock once a week. The process of winding the clock takes him longer than it used to, but Doug doesn’t mind. “I love clocks. I have a passion for them,” he says before climbing back down the ladder. His passion rings out as the clock strikes and the bell tolls once again.