Courthouse Tower Clock - Marshalltown, IA
Posted by: YoSam.
N 42° 02.929 W 092° 54.729
15T E 507269 N 4655200
Currently under repair from a 2018 tornado ...
Waymark Code: WM11N7W
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 11/18/2019
Views: 1
County of courthouse: Marshall County
Location of courthouse: Main St. & Center St., Marshalltown
Phone: (641) 754-1604
Built: November 19, 1886
Architectural Style: Classic-Revival
Architect: John C. Cochrane
In July 2018 the spire was removed from the courthouse by a very upset tornado. The clock was repaired and a new dome installed with the repaired clock back in it's rightful place.
Pre-tornado clock tour can be visited by you, right here: Liberty of Death
My research tells me this is a E. Howard Clock, model #3 and was originally installed in 1900. It is not behind the clock face, but works quietly in a protective room in the tower, about 50 feet from the clock face.
Now, the mandatory description: This clock is a vision of many circles, upon circles. In the center is mounted the sweep hands (arms?) heavy and Victorian fancy, with pointed ends.
The face itself is 4 circles out flowing from each other..the outer ring is nothing, the next two rings, moving inward, hold a lot of dots. Dots that mark the minutes/seconds of every minute and hour and day.
The quarter hour, traditional hashings, are set with Roman Numerals.
" ... In the center is a high square limestone tower with a clock, dome, and small cupola at the top. It rises to a height to 175 feet (53 m). ... " ~ Wikipedia
"The Marshall County Courthouse is an 86 year old building
of Classic-Revival style architecture. It is 4 (plus) floors
topped by a large tower with clock, dome, and cupula reaching
a height of 175'." ~ NRHP Nomination Form