Envision a time when meeting downtown meant one thing: the Old Clock at Zion’s First National Bank. This ornate timepiece is more than just a clock. It is a landmark. It is one of the few remaining pieces of 19th-century street furniture in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Old Clock at Zion’s First National Bank stands proudly in front of the Eagle Emporium Building. This is the location of the first ZCMI. The clock’s history is intertwined with the city’s growth. It dates back to the 1870s. Tradition says it arrived in a wagon pulled by oxen.
The foundry mark reveals its origins. Robert Wood & Co. in Philadelphia cast it in iron after the Civil War. The clock has stood the test of time. It has been powered by various means. A diversion from City Creek once drove a water wheel. This water wheel operated the clock. Later, springs and wet cell batteries kept time. By 1912, the clock connected to the bank’s new electricity system. In 2007, it was rewired and refinished.
Roy Simmons and I. J. “Izzy” Wagner enhanced Salt Lake City. They built businesses like Zions Bank. They improved their communities. Their dedication to beauty, culture, and history benefits the city still. The Old Clock at Zion’s First National Bank serves as a reminder of their contributions.
The Old Clock at Zion’s First National Bank has always belonged to Zions First National Bank. The architect and builder remain unknown. It is an eclectic interpretation of Renaissance prototypes. Classical moldings and ornamental motifs adorn it. A square base supports a column of classical elements. The column supports the orb with clock faces on four sides. Bronze drapery and a finial complete the design.
Joseph Boud, a long-time Zions Bank employee, remembered winding the springs. He did it every five days. Charles Spahr of Western Union changed the solution in the wet cell batteries every six months. The batteries resided in the bank’s basement near the vault.
For many years, IBM serviced the clock. Its internal workings are so solid that only occasional service is required. The Old Clock at Zion’s First National Bank is listed on both the state and national historical registries.
So next time you glance at this magnificent clock, remember its journey. Think of the water wheel, the springs, and the batteries. The Old Clock at Zion’s First National Bank represents time. It also represents the enduring spirit of Salt Lake City.