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Welcome to the Louisville Clock Restoration Project.
In 1970, the City of Louisville looked for a way to bring people back down, to downtown. The idea was to build a clock to bring people to the River City Mall as it was called then. Barney Bright was one of several people whom the city looked at to build this work of art. Eventually Barney won out and was commissioned to create the new clock. Barney envisioned a toy, featuring real people from Louisville's past in a whimsical fashion. The clock project drew out longer than anticipated and funds ran tight, so the space on the River City Mall that was intended for the clock sat vacant. Construction began on the clock in 1974 and on a cold winter day, December 3, 1976 before a crowd of approximately 3,000 people the clock came to life. The results were rave reviews and comments. The clock was an instant success and won the hearts of all who saw it. Though that was short lived the clock was plagued with mechanical failures and sat many a day in silence. The story goes that the city ended up paying over $100,000 in maintenance with no success. Soon thereafter the River City Mall failed and this a new phase began with the Louisville Galleria in 1981 to make way the clock was moved to Guthrie Street. Five years later, non, operational the clock was moved in 1986 to the Kentucky Kingdom entrance aside the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. Funds ran out, people gave up and in 1993 the clock was dismantled and moved to four locations where it sat in ruins. Several of the figures were kept on a static display at the Kentucky Derby Museum until 2004: In March of 2004 the Adam Matthews Foundation headed up by Adam Burckle, took possession of the clock and started work on restoring this great and historic Louisville landmark. The clock was moved to Bowman Field airport, in a secure yet open area. The clock needed a large open area to work on due to it's size and requirements for when it needed to be moved. 2005 - 2011: With the help of many generous donors, volunteers and supporters progress moved forward and the results met with success! In 2009 work reached proven success on the mechanicals and the Adam Matthews Foundation has started the process of locating a site for the clock. The goal is to locate the clock in a prominent area in the city for all to enjoy. 2012: On April 29, 2012 the Louisville Clock was moved back home to 4th Street, to it's permanent site at Theater Squre on 4th Street near Broadway. Figure & Artist History: Designed by famous Louisville native artist Barney Bright. The clock featured 10 historic figures with a connection to Louisville and the famous Belle who was a fictitious, voluptuous figure by Barney. Historic Figures - Track: Daniel Boone • King Louis (Louisville's Name Sake) • George Rogers Clark (Founder of Louisville) • Thomas Jefferson (The County is named after Thomas Jefferson) • Belle of Louisville Historic Figures - Bandstand: Mary Anderson - World Famous Voluptuous Actress • Henry Watterson - Newspaper Editor • Zachary Taylor - General and U.S President • D.W. Griffith - Hollywood Director • Oliver Cooke - Trumpeter |
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