Spot A Clock: Clock Tower Building, N. Prospect Ave.

September 2014 “Spot a Clock”
This month’s ‘Spot a Clock’ is the Clock Tower Building, located at 2266 North Prospect Avenue in Milwaukee.

The portion of the building with the clock was constructed in 1926 by Coakley Brothers, a Milwaukee-based warehousing and shipping company.. Alexander Eschweiler, the architect of the Wisconsin Gas Building, designed an addition that was constructed in 1928. The current building owner leases space out to a variety of businesses, and features the clock in their promotional materials.

The NAWCC’s Seth Thomas records indicate that the movement for this clock was a Seth Thomas Model 6, serial number 2504. A trip to the clock tower, however, found an electrified movement. The transfer gears from the original installation are still present and in use.

According to the Seth Thomas records, the clock dial was constructed with the letters “COAKLEY BROS” instead of the standard numerals. The current dials feature numerals, and show evidence of modification at some point in the past.

One may ask, what happened to the original movement. If you have been to the NAWCC Museum, you have seen it. The Seth Thomas tower clock movement from this building is on display.

If you would like to suggest a clock for the newsletter’s ‘Spot a Clock’, please contact Ed Buc at the Chapter meetings or by email.

September Spot a Clock— Can you guess the location of this clock? unnamedSeptClockThe answer will be posted at the September meeting, by the coffee.

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Our next MART is May 17th at 9:00am

Presidents Message.

Next meeting is May 17, 2026

We will continue to need some help setting up and taking down.  So arrive at 9:00 and help setup and stay after the educational talk to help return the room in the condition we found it in.  Thank you for your help in this. Some of our meetings will be in the lower hall if conflicts arise with American Legion Hall.  So, look for us in either hall.

I could also use a volunteer to make coffee for the group.  This entails making coffee and getting things setup and rinsed off after the meeting.

Doors open at 9:00 for setup and mart. The educational talk at 11:00 is Gear Cutting by Mike Dempsey.

Rich Newman discussed some of the most innovative watch dial designs for telling time 300 years ago. The presentation was based upon an exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum last year and included seven 17th and very early 18th century watches that were also on display for chapter members to see close-up.  Besides discussing the ways makers designed these dials, that included wandering hour, sun and moon, differential, clock-watches, and 6-hour dials, Newman discussed their accuracy, quality, and the manufacturing system that gave London, and the masters working in the London watch and clockmaking guild, a world-wide reputation for producing the best watches in the world.  

Newman is a past Board Chair and a Star Fellow and heads the NAWCC British Horology Chapter and Antiquarian Horological Society USA Section. He also hosts ColonialWatches.com to promote horological research and education.

Educational Talks Planned for 2026:

  • May – Gear Cutting by Mike Dempsey
  • September – Clock Movements 101 by Mike Dempsey
  • November – Isaac Rogers Ebonized Bracket Clock Restoration by Craig White

There will be a board meeting for officers and directors after Educational Talk.

Free tables!!  A free silent auction table will also be available. 

Hope to see you all there.
Thanks,
Craig


Chapter 3 Tailgate Mart will be held on Saturday, May 9th.

Chapter 3 is excited to announce that our 7th Annual TAILGATE MART will be taking place on SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026, at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union – Local 73 parking lot, located at 4550 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, Illinois.
Seller set-up begins at 7:00 A.M. There are 126 seller spaces and 150+ general parking spaces available for those participating in the Mart. Parking space rental for SELLERS will be $5.00 per space. Sellers can purchase up to 4 additional, adjoining parking spaces across – if needed.  No reservation is needed; just come and claim your spot(s) early. The TAILGATE MART will end at 12:00 P.M.
There is NO charge for non-sellers! Everyone is encouraged to bring guests who have an interest in horology to attend the mart. Members from NAWCC – Chapters 3,18, 20, 26, 29, 47, 66, 83, 101, 159, and 171, as well as supporting partners NIWCC and REDBAR, are invited to participate.

  1. Our Next Mart is March 15th at 9:00 am. Comments Off on Our Next Mart is March 15th at 9:00 am.
  2. Next MART is January 11, 2026. Doors open at 9:00 Comments Off on Next MART is January 11, 2026. Doors open at 9:00
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  4. Next Mart is November 9th at 9:00am Comments Off on Next Mart is November 9th at 9:00am
  5. Next meeting is May 18, 2025. Comments Off on Next meeting is May 18, 2025.
  6. Our Meeting Will Be on March 9th, 2025 Comments Off on Our Meeting Will Be on March 9th, 2025
  7. Next meeting is January 12, 2025 Comments Off on Next meeting is January 12, 2025
  8. Next meeting is November 17, 2024. Note: Meeting to be held in lower hall Comments Off on Next meeting is November 17, 2024. Note: Meeting to be held in lower hall
  9. DATE CHANGE: Next MART is October 6th. Comments Off on DATE CHANGE: Next MART is October 6th.