Stanford Clock Tower facts for kids
The Stanford Clock Tower is a tall building with a beautiful arched walkway next to it. You can find it at Stanford University, a famous school in California. It stands at a busy spot on campus where two paths meet. This tower was built in 1983 thanks to a gift from William Kimball, who was a leader at the university.
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The Clock Tower's Story
The Stanford Clock Tower is home to a very old clock. This clock was made way back in 1901 by a company called Seth Thomas. It used to be in a much bigger bell tower at the Stanford Memorial Church.
A Clock Survives an Earthquake
In 1906, a big earthquake hit San Francisco. The bell tower at Stanford Memorial Church fell down because of the earthquake. But the university saved the clock's chimes! They kept them in small, temporary buildings near the church. The chimes kept ringing out the hours, even after the earthquake.
During the 1950s and 1960s, something funny happened. Sometimes, the chimes would ring 13 times at noon! People think this was probably a prank by some students. In 1983, the old clock and its chimes finally got a new home. They were moved into the Stanford Clock Tower we see today.
How the Clock Still Works
Even though it's an old clock, it still works! Someone has to hand-crank the clock once a week to keep it running. In 1997, some smart engineering students at Stanford made a new part for the clock. They designed a special pendulum that helps the clock keep time better. This new pendulum stops the clock from being wrong when the temperature changes.
The Famous Mickey Mouse Prank
On May 10, 1983, the new clock tower was officially shown to everyone. Donald Kennedy, who was the president of Stanford University at the time, was there. When he pulled off the cover, he burst out laughing! An unknown prankster had put Mickey Mouse's face and hands on the west side of the clock. It was a funny surprise for everyone!
