GREENWOOD (KFSM) -- The Parks Department in Greenwood is working on the historic clock tower, and Parks Director Richard McKinney said on Thursday (Oct. 22) that the electricity is now ready for the new clock.
“Today we pulled all the wires in to feed the new clock, which is still up in Cincinnati being made right now,” McKinney said.
The original clock survived the 1968 tornado but McKinney said it's time to replace it.
“People have always asked, ‘Why in the world is that always set on 3:15?’ -- that was about the time that our tornado hit, so we just had the clock hands froze there until we could get some mechanisms in there,” McKinney said.
However, it isn't just the clock getting attention. The 1917 bell had its silver paint stripped off, exposing the bronze.
Mike Brock has lived in Greenwood for decades, and works for the Parks and Recreation Department. He said he’s proud to be able to help get the bell ready.
“When I was younger, I could hear it ring and stuff, and then later on it rang -- but it's been a while since I’ve heard it,” Brock said. "It's really tremendous to be a part of it.”
The new clock will automatically adjust for daylight saving time. All of the repairs to the tower are costing the city about $50,000.
"You'll actually be able to see if you're late for work when you drive through town,” he said.
The facelift of the historic clock tower in Greenwood has been an ongoing project for nearly six months.
All of the cracks in the columns have been repaired, and McKinney said he hopes the project is complete by the end of 2015.