City Times Staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — McMillan Library is hosting a special display of Wisconsin Rapids history right now.

Visitors can now check out the large brass-made mechanism that was installed in the 1892 clock tower, installed in the tower of Grand Rapids City Hall. That building was eventually demolished years later, and its former site is now a parking lot on Baker St.

However, Grand Rapids City Hall, and the tower, was moved to the west side of the river after merging with Centralia. In 1920, the city would be renamed Wisconsin Rapids to avoid confusion with Grand Rapids, Mich. in regards to mail delivery.

The mechanism will be on public display until the end of August. For more on the history of the memorial clock tower, check out Moment in Time: Memorial Clock Tower, 1892