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18 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, March 19, 1991 Post Office Clock has been keeping time for 77 years The Post Office 'clock tower' is one of Port Perry's most unique landmarks, one that most area resi- dents pass almost every day without much thought. The Star asked postmaster Bob Walker if we could take a look at the inside of the clock tower to photograph the mechanism which makes those large hands keep turning, year after year, and the photos seen here are the result of that effort. Although not a lot of information is available about the time-piece that drives the Post Office clock, we were able to research, through back issues of the a a Star now on microfilm, these few facts: The clock was built by J. Smith & Sons of the Midland Clock Works, Derby, England and shipped to from Liverpool, England about the middle Port Perry of October, 1913. In the April 22, 1914 issue of the Star it was reported that "mechanics are busy installing the Post Office clock. The inspector was here Tuesday look- ing over the property." On May 13, 1914 the Star report- ed "the Post Office clock has started to strike, but it is far too modest, and gen- tle about telling the hours. Its voice must have been trained in a ladies semi- nary, and is 'cultured'. But we are not suited and trust that arrangements can be made that the bell can be heard easi- ly all over town." The final mention of the Post Of- fice clock appeared on June 13, 1914 when it was reported, "The Post Office Photos on this page show the inside of the Post Office Tower Clock and some of the intricate, yet simple, move- ments which keep the time piece tick- ing year after year. The clock is wound manually once a week and undergoes maintenace every couple of weeks to keep it in good working order. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE POST OFFICE A search through microfilmed issues of the Star has revealed these facts. * Construction began on the current Post Office in April 1912. * Boxes were started to be allotted on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1913. Simple, but effective, the main component of the Post Office clock tower is this piece of intri- cate machinery which combines, gears, weights, cables and pullies to keep the clock ticking. * The front doors of the Post Office were opened for business on Friday morning, January 2, 1914. * There has been postal service in Port Perry since 1852. clock is again running and striking. It has scarcely formed the habit of run- ning regulary yet. Sometimes it 'strikes' and sometimes it goes 'on strike' and then of course, it neither goes nor strikes." Large brass gears keep clock ticking Photos, story and research by J. Peter Hvidsten A view of one of the four faces of the Post Office clock from inside the tower. A series of gears and rods ensures all sides keep the same time. Five lightbulbs, hung behind the each clock face illuminates the the tower at night. A close-up photo of the outside face of the Post Office clock. This is the view which most people are accustomed to seeing from the street.