PANAMA CITY — For 17 years, the old “Bank Clock” that once hung at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Beach Drive lay in storage. Inspired by the efforts of Kevin Wattenbarger and Rebecca Saunders to save the predecessor of that clock, I contacted Kristian Chapman of People’s First Insurance, who is a member of the Chapman family, then owners of the clock.
Within a few weeks (Sept. 30), the clock was delivered to the Bay County History Museum by the Royal American Co. Within 11 more days, thanks to the efforts of Bill Register, the older clock was brought to the museum. It had been badly battered by Hurricane Michael as it stood on the post at Sun Trust Bank.
The older clock was first installed in 1926 on the First National Bank building. It was manufactured by the O.B. McClintock Co. (1917-49) of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It measured 10 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide at its broadest point.
Unfortunately, now its cap or roof was missing. With the skills of society member Robert Saunders, this 800-pound clock was raised upright and now sits in a display stand for the public to view at the museum.
The museum is not the best place for these colossal custodians of time. They are fixtures meant to grace the corners of imposing buildings, where their iconic image has been ingrained in the memories of longtime citizens of Panama City.
According to Eric Ryback, vice-president of the Tower & Street Clock Chapter of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, ”...they are very special in the history of public time pieces.”
It is the hope of the Historical Society of Bay County to raise money for the restoration of the clocks and to find a home for them on the outside, so that their time and melodious chimes can once again be seen and heard by all who visit historic Downtown Panama City.
The museum is located at 133 Harrison Ave., and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Admission is free to the public, but donations are welcome.
