REINSTALLATION OF THE YORKVILLE CLOCK AT 1501 THIRD AVENUE (BETWEEN 85TH AND 95TH STREETS) ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1999

By Margot Gayle

The work began between 6:30 and 7 o'clock on a misty, drippy morning. A flatbed truck with a crane pulled up and parked. Robert Baird of Historical Arts & Casting was ready and waiting for it, as was another truck which had brought the Yorkville Clock. Franny Eberhart, chairman of the clock committee, soon was also on hand.

The clock had been brought from Salt Lake City to a warehouse in Queens. It was in two separate sections, one being the cast-iron pedestal, the other being the two-sided clock dial. The crane very, very gently laid these on the sidewalk. As the first step toward reinstallation, the crane lifted the tall iron column carefully into place over the area in the sidewalk that had been prepared for it.

Advance preparation had included replacement of the electrical wiring system, which would connect the clock through a conduit running beneath the sidewalk and into Riemann & Breeze Furniture Store. The Davenport family, owners of the store, will absorb the cost of electricity to run the clockworks. An iron template supplied by Robert Baird matching the measurements of the bottom of the clock's pedestal had been installed in the cement of the sidewalk. This template provided holes for bolts to secure the structure.

Once the pedestal was erect and secure, the mobile crane lifted the shining gold head of the clock into position in the cup-like top of the pedestal, ornamented by gilded acanthus leaves. It was then securely attached to the pedestal.

Members of the Committee of Neighbors to Restore the Yorkville Clock were watching with fascination and countless passersby hurrying to work or school stopped to gaze for a moment at the work in progress. A few members of the press also watched. They and the passersby were given an information handout about the clock, its history and restoration, Although a light drizzle was falling, little did the people involved realize how lucky it was that the reinstallation was not taking place the following day when the drenching rains of the storm that began as Hurricane Floyd were inundating the city.

When the clock's head was gently settled, the committee applauded Robert Baird and his assistants as the clock nestled into place. Once the pedestal and clock were assembled, Mr. Baird verified that the electrical system was connected to the works. The historic moment had arrived to put the hands into position for the correct time. On the dot of 10 o'clock, the Yorkville landmark was back in action.

All the remaining members of the committee went into McDonald's to dry off and celebrate the reinstallation where Mrs. Dorothy R. Kornblith, president of Twenty First Century Corporation, owner of this McDonald's, provided refreshments and cordial hospitality. McDonald's also contributed $1.00 from the purchase that day of a featured meal special.

Robert Baird explained and demonstrated to Margot Gayle and Tom Bernardin how the clock can be reset for daylight savings time.

Bill Pearlmutter, a professional photographer, documented the event.

Members of the committee who attended for varying periods of time were: Franny Eberhart, Anne Davenport, Margot Gayle, Teri Slater, Eugenie Cowan Havemeyer, Jane Cowan, Erin Gray, Kathy Jolowicz, Betty Keim, Bill Pearlmutter, Anthony Wood, and Tom Bernardin.

Submitted by Margot Gayle 9/18/99