Wisconsin Rapids City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Government
  • Covid 19
  • Community
    • Community Calendar
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
    • Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Business Directory
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Wisconsin Rapids City Times

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Government
  • Covid 19
  • Community
    • Community Calendar
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
    • Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Business Directory
Top Stories
Home›Top Stories›Moment in Time: Memorial Clock Tower, 1892

Moment in Time: Memorial Clock Tower, 1892

By Julie Schooley
February 3, 2017
1240
0
Share:
The Wisconsin Rapids Clock Tower as it used to stand. (Courtesy: South Wood County Historical Corporation)

By Joe Bachman and Phillip Brown, South Wood County Historical Museum

The Wisconsin Rapids Memorial Clock & Bell Tower has been through quite a lot in it’s history.

On Dec. 20, 1889, the decision was made by council members of Grand Rapids, now Wisconsin Rapids, to construct a building that would combine the library and city hall. This building, located at the Rablin property on 1st St. and Baker would also include a clock and bell for the tower. This finished construction in 1892.

In the dual-purpose facility, four rooms had been set aside on the second floor for the T.B. Scott Library.  Also on the second floor were the council chambers and the city sealer of weights and measures.  Occupying the first floor was the fire station.

23 years after the consolidation of Grand Rapids and Centralia, the ‘old city hall’ was given to the library in 1923 after a ‘new’ city hall moved to the west-side of town. It wasn’t until 1948, when the library moved to Third St., into the former home of Issac and Charlotte Witter.

 

The clock tower as it stands today. (City Times Photo)

The clock tower as it stands today. (City Times Photo)

The library and old city hall building remained until 1957, when it was set to be demolished. However, Paul Gross checked into the unlocked building and discovered that the clock and bell was still in great shape for being 65-years-old. The city was willing to save the clock before demolition, and Paul took the pieces home with him and stored some of it in the city garage. The old area of the city hall building now serves as the parking lot for the Wood County Courthouse.

A new project was started by Gross and Alderperson Glenn Pascavis to rebuild the tower. Two years after a location was chosen for this at Mead Rapids View Park in 1983, fundraising efforts went underway to resurrect the landmark clock tower. By 1985, the committee had raised over $30,000.

After a year of construction, the clock tower was rebuilt and finished on Jun. 28, 1991. It was dedicated during a special gala ceremony. The tower was dedicated to the early settlers in the Wisconsin Rapids area, as well as to the Mead family.

As of 2017, a new initiative has been underway, started by Paul Gross, architect Jerry Feith, and South Wood County Historical Museum President Phil Brown to upgrade the structure.

Tagsclock towerFeatured
Previous Article

Cody Clauson Trio to Present Annual ‘Warming ...

Next Article

Cowboy Union Jam to Play McMillan Library

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Top Stories

    Rapids School of Performing Arts to Offer Additional Youth Classes

    May 29, 2015
    By admin
  • Top Stories

    Meeting Announced for Future of Powers Bluff Development

    March 9, 2017
    By Julie Schooley
  • Sports

    Rafters fall to Bullfrogs in rain-shortened game

    July 13, 2018
    By kleonhardt
  • Top Stories

    War Birds to take Rapids’ Skies on Saturday

    August 27, 2015
    By admin
  • Sports

    Rivas’ two home runs not enough

    June 25, 2018
    By kleonhardt
  • Sports

    Riverkings’ Dey takes advantage of opportunity in D.C.

    July 25, 2018
    By kleonhardt

About Us


Wisconsin Rapids City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 20, 2021

    Riverkings battle for the top spot

  • January 19, 2021

    Marshfield Clinic scheduling COVID vaccinations to those 65 and older

  • January 19, 2021

    Wood County deputy and K-9 partner recognized

  • January 19, 2021

    Redistricting in Wisconsin

  • January 18, 2021

    Portage County releases name in Rudolph area crash

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×