Clock Tower Accurate From Time To Time Riverfront Park’s Landmark Timepiece Takes Timeout For Repairs

Fri., July 12, 1996

By Isamu Jordan isamuj@spokesman.com

It’s always noon at Riverfront Park these days.

Or midnight, depending on your point of view.

The hands on Spokane’s signature clock have been stuck on 12 o’clock for the last 2-1/2 weeks - since a metal support bolted to the tower’s 700-pound brass pendulum gave out.

The stoppage has caused some confusion for watchless park-goers, especially around lunch time.

“People ask what time the train comes and I say, ‘Every half hour.’ They look up at the clock and expect it to be there any minute,” said Melissa Bonner, 18, who works in the Sugar Shack next to the Ferris wheel.

Briana Gerhman-Brown, who works next to Bonner selling popcorn, has fielded a few dozen complaints about the frozen clock.

Gerhman-Brown relieves her co-workers for 15-minute breaks. The Shadle Park High graduate doesn’t own a watch, so now she must trust them to return on time.

Park security officer Justin Lundgren doesn’t wear his watch on duty because he lost his last one on the job. He, too, wishes the turn-of-the-century landmark a speedy recovery.

“It’s a great reference point,” Lundgren said. “You can see it from anywhere in the park.”

This isn’t the first time the chimes in the tower were silenced. In March 1995, the clock clanked to a stop because of corrosion in the cable-pulley system.

The fact that the clock is once again accurate only twice a day seems to bother employees more than visitors.

“Most people have watches, so I’m OK with it,” said Tiffany Geaudreu, a Lewis and Clark High student hanging out at the park. “The only thing I miss are the bells.”

Park officials expect the clock to be running again in about two weeks.

They believe the broken 4-inch by 10-inch support is from the original 1902 construction. But they can’t be certain until they get confirmation from Pacific Machinery and Tool Steel in Oregon, where the part is being duplicated.

“It’s important that we get a good match so it will last us another 94 years,” said Dave Randolph, park facilities foreman.

, DataTimes

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