Charles Dale Rea/Old Fort Memorial Clock Tower - Durango, CO
Posted by: 
Outspoken1
N 37° 16.556 W 107° 51.587
13S E 246441 N 4129317
Magnificent clock and bell tower on Fort Lewis College campus
Waymark Code: WM96H6
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2010
Views: 3
I spent the day near this clock and bell tower working on the sports massage team for Ride the Rockies 2010 in Durango. The clock chimes the traditional 'Westminster' chime every quarter-hour. The bells have a fine tone, but they do not seem to be matched.
"The clock tower was designed by Allison Colwell, a Fort Lewis
College Physical Plant planner, and was constructed 1999-2001 as a
tribute to Dale Rea, first president of the college (1949-1962). Dr. Rea himself funded much of the cost of the tower.
Architecturally, the tower is a blend of elements from the early campus architecture of James M. Hunter and the newer additions to the campus. These "original" building elements include stone from the FLC quarry, colored mosaic tiles, and stone arches similar to those in Berndt Hall. The square windows, colored concrete copings, stucco, and
bronze roofing are materials found more recently in campus architecture. The basic simplicity of structure, the materials, and the architectural style will successfully endure, without appearing dated in the years to come.
The structure is 14-feet square at the base and 62-feet high to the top of the roof. There are three vertical tiers, representing the trimester calendar which Dale Rea was fundamental in incorporating
into the curriculum. The first tier, or base, is 14-feet wide by 14-feet high, with a seven-foot-wide by nine foot-high opening/pass-through on all four sides.
The second tier is 30-feet high, and is set back on each of the four sides by six inches, and is separated from the base and the third tier by 12-inch-thick precast colored concrete bands. There are three square windows that will be backlit, with colored glazing.
The third tier, which incorporates an illuminated clock, is 13-feet wide by 13-feet high, and is set back another six inches on all four sides. The clock dial is approximately five to six feet in diameter. The clock is set in stucco, and surrounded by stone.
The roof is dark bronze standing-seam metal, and is set up off the third tier, with recessed cove lighting. In the evenings, the roof will have a floating appearance. (Compiled from various Fort Lewis College newsletters.)"
Address of Tower:
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO USA
81301
Still Operational: yes
Number of bells in tower?: 10
Rate tower: 
Tours or visits allowed in tower?: No
Relevant website?: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please post an original picture of the tower taken while you were there. Please also record how you came to be at this tower and any other interesting information you learned about it while there.