This month’s ‘Spot a Clock’ is located at Wauwatosa East High School, 7500 Milwaukee Avenue, Wauwatosa. This clock is located in the lobby of the school’s theater. Looking at the back side of the clock, a dial is present. This suggested that the clock may have been located elsewhere and relocated to its present location. Wauwatosa’s first high school was built on the site of the current Lincoln Elementary School in 1871.
A new school was constructed across 76th Street to the east in 1934. This school’s design had Art Deco elements, and included a ‘tower of learning’ above the main entrance. Murals were painted in the lobby by WPA artists, and handmade tile and trophy cases lined the walls. Some design details are still visible on the west and south exteriors of the building. A second high school, Wauwatosa West, was constructed in the early 1970s, and the original school was renamed Wauwatosa East. Because of fears that the new ‘state of the art’ school would draw students away from the original high school, the school board approved an expansion and remodeling program.
Due to deteriorating conditions, the tower was removed in 1974, and the interior was modified with drywall and drop ceilings to match the addition. Unfortunately, this remodel affected the murals and trophy cases, which were thought lost until 2002. Exploratory holes were cut into the walls, and revealed the original oak cases, tile, and murals. An extensive restoration was completed in 2005 to restore this area.
A book written by Ray Py documented the history of the school, and he encouraged the restoration of the murals. His book included a yearbook photo that depicted a clock hanging from the interior of this space, in a stairwell that led to the tower. Other yearbook photos showed this clock model was located in at least two other areas of the school.
The dial of the current clock is slightly different than seen in yearbook photos. Given student usage of the clocks to hang things from, dials were likely replaced during repairs
