Time stops: A list of some of Hamilton's broken clocks
There's little that shows a lack of attention to detail more so than a broken clock. Today, everyone carries a smartphone with them at all times, and probably has any number of other devices - a computer, a car's dashboard - that can tell the time when they're out of the house. But in recent history, clocks adorned prominent towers and buildings, and whether or not we rely on those clocks today, they're still there. They're often neglected, and thus have become public eyesores.
Consider Hamilton. A wealth of resources have been devoted to revitalizing the city, but yesterday's big, worn-down clocks are rarely part of the conversation. We would rather create new public installations and art than fix the ones we have. I'm hoping this list might do a bit to draw attention to the issue, and perhaps shame Hamilton into getting its clocks running again.
To be clear, I don't mean for this list to be authoritative. These are clocks that I found weren't working on or around Labour Day 2017. I didn't enter any businesses or homes to find clocks with dead batteries - these are public structures that everyone can see. There may well be more non-functional clocks out there that I'm not aware of, and if you know of one, feel free to keep me up to date at justin@meetjustinholmes.com.
Hamilton City Centre clock, James and Wilson
We might as well start with one of the most well-known. This clock was built around a bell that predates its current home by decades. It has four faces, so you can tell the time from any direction.
Unlike most of the clocks on this list, this piece does work - all four faces of the clock are in lockstep. However, it runs significantly fast, and the bell inside doesn't chime. There has been talk recently about better recognizing this clock's importance, but for now it's a very prominent and somewhat non-functional thing, so it is included on this list.
Centre Point clock, James and Wilson
The last clock was at the southwest corner, and this one is on the northeast. This is a digital clock, which you might not notice given that it's just a black square on a busy sign. I've never seen this clock work.
MacNab bus station clock, Main and MacNab
The other digital clock on this list. This bus station is only a few years old, so I'd say with confidence this is easily the newest clock on this list.
It has a counterpart on the northern side of the bus station that's still functional.
Clock of the Charging Horsemen sign, King and James
This is almost cheating, but it's too good to not put on here. There's no clock in that photo, just a big post. There's an old sign attached to that post that tells you there's (supposed to be) a clock. This is a very busy part of the city, so a lot of people would just walk past this post without giving it a second thought.
The clock is the four-sided monster hanging above the indoor farmers market nearby, and it does work. But if you just saw this sign, all you'd know is there's supposed to be a clock next to it.
Port of Hamilton clock, Burlington and Sherman
This is the only clock on my list in the industrial part of town, and I'd wager it's the largest clock on the list. It's also one of the shabbier looking clocks on here, I'm sorry to say.
It's double-sided and neither side works. The ad next to it could use a little TLC, too.
Fenworth Place clock, Fennell and Upper Wentworth
The only one I know of up the mountain. It has a clock facing the road and one facing the plaza near a Harvey's. The hands don't move.
Jarvis Street clock, King and Jarvis
The last item on this list is the most interesting. It has three faces, all of which show an incorrect time.
This face is the one visible to traffic on one-way King Street. It's the only one where the hands do move, but it hasn't shown anything close to the correct time in a while.
Here's the thing about this clock - it still works! You can see the bells above the clock faces, and every 15 minutes they chime the correct time. So even though it's useless to look at this clock to tell the time, you can still listen to it.
If you want to check out these clocks for yourself, I've got them all arranged on a handy little map, along with a handful of functional clocks of note:
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