Citizens hope to refurbish historic clock

A group of Odessa residents, including Chamber of Commerce president Marlon Schafer and Paul Hopp, are hoping to raise interest for the refurbishment and reinstallation of the historic town clock, which has graced at least two buildings in town until its retirement.

The clock, which is over six feet tall from base to cap, was originally, according to Hopp, hung on the front of the Thiel Block, outside what is now Iverson Law Office. The filled-in holes from that installation are still clearly visible.

The Record had been informed that the clock then was hung on the building that now houses Schmidt Insurance Services and The Quilt Crossing, but other sources have said that was the “Safeco” clock.

The Odessa clock’s last placement in Odessa was on the Finney Block building, where it was eventually replaced by the VFW sign.

Hopp says he can’t remember a time when the clock actually worked, and that by the time it moved to the VFW building, the round clock face installation was replaced with panels painted with the Chamber of Commerce logo as it was then. The upper portion of the sign said “Welcome to Odessa.”

Schafer has pledged to attempt to track down a replacement clock, hopefully something with an antique-looking face but modern electrical workings. Former mayor Harold Kern had at one point attempted to find a replacement clock, but was unsuccessful, but, as Schafer points out, “That was before Google.”

The group would be interested in any information or photos that Odessans, present or past, might have regarding the clock. Business owners who might be willing to provide a new home for the clock may contact Schafer.