Twin Cities Timepiece?  The irony here is that this beautiful clock has no true connection to the history of the Twin Cities; it has its roots dating back 145 years ago in the Riverside section of Buffalo.  We can glean some information from an article in the Buffalo Courier-Express of February 22, 1965, which reads (in part) as follows:

A grandfather’s clock worthy of the name stands 10 feet tall, ticking seconds away in a Riverside community jewelry store.  It has been in operation continuously since 1877 when its original owner, George H Striker, had it custom made for his store at 1883 Niagara Street.  The works were ordered from an English firm, and the mahogany case was fashioned by a Buffalo cabinetmaker.  A five-foot pendulum has eight pounds of mercury in glass containers at the bottom.  Another weight at the end of a wind-chain lowers as the clock runs.  When wound, the weight goes up on a chain.

Mr. Striker died in 1930, and the store was moved to 780 Tonawanda Street about 5 years later.  Today, it still bears the name of Striker & Huetter.  An impressed tavern owner offered $100 for the stately timekeeper but the owner refused.  He plans to donate it to the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society.

Real Refusal?  We’re not sure if the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society refused the clock, or the owner simply changed his mind, but we do know that it arrived – safe and secure – at our museum in 1965 and it’s been ticking away ever since.  Despite having no direct connection to the Twin Cities lumber industry or our canal heritage, we feel one can make a case that after over 60 years of standing tall at 113 Main Street, it has now become an historical landmark – of sorts – here in the Twin Cities.  Here’s hoping that it remains so for at least another 60 years.

Clock Man:  The Historical Society of the Tonawandas is grateful for the ever-helpful Jay Soemann of Walker Brothers and Monroe Jewelers of 84 Webster Street in North Tonawanda, who has been our “go-to” man for all things clock-related for many years.  It is through his efforts that this wonderful grandfather clock keeps perfect time after nearly 150 years of operation.