Colgate Clock (Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Colgate Clock |
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Colgate-Palmolive factory, with the original Colgate Clock, in Clarksville, Indiana
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| Location | Clarksville, Indiana |
| Built | 1924 |
| Built for | Residents of Clarksville, Indiana |
| Original use | Telling Time |
| Owner | Colgate-Palmolive (1924-2008) Unknown (2008-present) |
The Colgate Clock is a giant clock in Clarksville, Indiana. It's so big, it's known as one of the largest clocks in the world! This amazing clock measures 40 feet (about 12 meters) across. It first lit up on November 17, 1924. You can see it clearly from across the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky.
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The Story of the Colgate Clock
From Prison to Factory
The building where the Colgate Clock now stands has an interesting past. Before the Colgate-Palmolive company bought it, it was a state prison. This prison opened in 1847. In 1919, a big fire damaged the prison. Instead of spending a lot of money to fix it, the state decided to move the prison to a new location.
Around that time, Colgate was looking for a new factory location in the central United States. They heard the old prison building was available. So, in 1923, the state sold the building to Colgate. Even some of the former prisoners helped turn the old prison into a soap-making factory!
How the Clock Came to Be
The Colgate Clock was designed by a Colgate engineer named Warren Day. It was built by the Seth Thomas Clock Company. This clock was first made in 1906 to celebrate 100 years of the Colgate Company.
The clock was first placed at a Colgate factory in Jersey City, New Jersey. But in 1924, a much bigger clock was built in Jersey City. So, the original clock was moved to its current home in Clarksville, Indiana.
Where to See the Clock
The Colgate Clock faces south, looking out over the Ohio River. The best place to see this huge clock is from across the river in Louisville, Kentucky. It's a famous landmark in the area.
You might even spot the clock in a movie! It appears in the film The Insider. You can see it when actors Al Pacino and Russell Crowe are talking in a car.
Keeping the Clock Safe
In 2006, the factory where the clock is located was put on a list of "10 Most Endangered Landmarks" by Indiana Landmarks. This meant the building was at risk of being lost. Colgate-Palmolive planned to close the factory in 2008. They moved their operations to other places.
The factory site is in a great spot for new buildings. It's right across the river from Louisville and easy to get to from a major highway. Because of this, there was worry that the clock might not be saved.
In 2007, the factory was again on the endangered list. Colgate did not agree to put the factory on the National Register of Historic Places. This would have helped get money to preserve it. People continue to hope the famous Colgate Clock will be protected for many years to come.
