Benton County Courthouse clock scheduled to return after years of restoration

VINTON — It’s almost time to see Benton County’s premiere timepiece.

The courthouse’s clock, first installed 119 years ago, has been completely restored to its former glory using all original, refurbished or replica parts authentic to the model.

After several years of painstaking repairs, the clock will return to the courthouse, 111 E. Fourth St., on June 8. The assembled clock, in its entirety, will be available for the public to view at the first floor of the courthouse on Monday, June 9 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. before the installation process begins.

Following the public viewing, Minneapolis restoration and service company Mechanical Watch Supply will disassemble the clock and move the pieces to the clock tower, where it will be reassembled. The clock has been in Mechanical Watch Supply’s care since 2021.

The clock, which weighs about 800 pounds, will be fully installed by June 19 — the anniversary of its first installation in 1906.

The new, mechanical restoration undoes damage that was done to the clock in 1952 as electrification of clocks became popular in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s.

The clock’s last repair was completed in 2015. This repair should last longer, said Rory Demesy, the clock expert behind the latest restoration.

“If they do their due diligence (with maintenance,) that clock will be running for another 100 years,” he said.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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