Floral clock (Frankfort, Kentucky) facts for kids
The floral clock in Frankfort, Kentucky, is a super cool landmark! It's a giant clock made of living flowers, located right behind the Kentucky State Capitol building. Governor Bert T. Combs officially opened it in May 1961. This special clock was a team effort between the state government and the Garden Club of Kentucky. It quickly became a popular spot for visitors to enjoy.
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The Amazing Floral Clock in Frankfort
How the Clock Came to Be
Governor Bert T. Combs had a great idea on April 10, 1961. He decided to use $50,000 to build this unique clock on the capitol lawn. He had seen a similar flower clock during a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. Governor Combs thought a floral clock would add a lot of color and beauty to the capitol grounds.
When the clock was first finished, some people made fun of it. They called it "Combs' Folly" or "Big Bert." Another politician, A. B. "Happy" Chandler, was especially critical. He joked that in Frankfort, people would say "two petunias past the jimson weed" instead of "half past two." But over time, most people loved the clock. It became one of Kentucky's most talked-about and visited tourist spots. It's now the most popular place to visit in Frankfort!
Building a Giant Flower Clock
The clock face is huge, measuring about 34 feet (10 meters) across. It's tilted at a 26-degree angle, which means it's not completely flat. The word "Kentucky" is spelled out in big letters around the top. The minute hand is 20 feet (6 meters) long, and the hour hand is 15 feet (4.5 meters) long. Both hands are quite heavy, weighing around 500 pounds (227 kilograms) each!
The Flowers and the Pool
More than 10,000 flowers make up the clock face. The planter holding all these flowers weighs about 100 tons (91,000 kilograms). Most of the flowers are Joseph's coat and begonias. All the flowers used for the clock are grown in special greenhouses owned by the state, right near the capitol.
Unlike many other floral clocks, the Frankfort clock floats above a pool of water. This pool is 36 feet (11 meters) wide and 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) deep. Many visitors toss coins into the pool, treating it like a wishing well. For many years, the money collected helped Kentucky's child care agencies buy fun equipment. It also funded Garden Club scholarships for students studying plants or land design at the University of Kentucky. Today, all the money goes to these scholarships. Workers collect the coins from the pool every three weeks. In the first three years, over $6,000 was collected!
How the Clock Tells Time
A special machine inside the stone base of the clock makes the hands move. This machine has six gears and an electrical system. Every minute, the minute hand moves 1.5 feet (0.46 meters). The hour hand moves at the correct speed too. Each hour, another control system checks the time and makes any needed adjustments. It can even reset the clock if there's a power failure.
Awards and Fame
In May 1962, the National Council of State Garden Clubs gave Kentucky their Bronze Seal Award. This award recognized the state's efforts to make the capitol grounds beautiful, and the floral clock was a big part of that! In 2002, the capitol grounds, including the amazing floral clock, were even shown on the HGTV show "Great American Gardens."
More Cool Clocks
- Louisville Clock
