By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—After years of standing quiet, the Hagersville Market Clock Tower chimes can be heard once more; a special reminder of the time and the Millennium legacy created for the town.
In mid-November, Westminster chimes returned every hour, on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., followed by the striking of the hours. As an added feature, music has been programmed to play at noon each day.
The Market Clock Tower was erected in late 1999 to celebrate the new millennium thanks to a partnership between the Hagersville and District Chamber of Commerce and the Hagersville Business Improvement Association (BIA), with the Canadian branch of The Verdin Company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing the clock. The late John Luttjehuizen served as chairman of the project.
When the Chamber announced the project, its intent was “to create an everlasting monument and beautification in our downtown core for local residents, family, friends, and tourists to enjoy while visiting Hagersville.” (The Haldimand Press, August 18, 1999).
During the dedication ceremony on January 7, 2000, Rev. Adolph Hahn shared, “This clock is a symbol of the passage of time. Time is that which no man can hold back.”
Luttjehuizen described the clock tower as “built by local people, for the community and others to enjoy well into the future.”
Among the many businesses and individuals he credited with contributing to the construction were John Almas, Lou Crotta and employees of R.F. Almas Company Ltd.; Chuck and Carl of Chuck’s Welding; Wayne DeBoer of W. DeBoer Custom Machining Ltd.; Dan Davidson of D. J. Davidson Electric Ltd.; Linda and Royce Thurston of Inlay Creations; and Leigh Baker of Leigh Baker Concrete Forming. (The Haldimand Press, January 12, 2000)
Over time, the chimes ceased and the time on each side of the clock was different due to mechanical wear. According to Rob Phillips, President of the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce, the BIA started the work of reactivating the chimes, having Fast Computers access the controller. A manual adjustment of the west clock face to match the east face was completed by Jeff Yager of Yager Electric.
Phillips explains, however, that the correction is only good until the next power outage or time change. He says, “With that in mind, the Chamber and BIA have been meeting with Ernie Houthuyzen, the Canada Branch Manager of The Verdin Company, to determine what is necessary to refurbish and repair the clock mechanism.”
Fittingly, Houthuyzen was the project manager when the clock was first installed and he recalls working closely with Luttjehuizen. Phillips says, “When Ernie did a site visit recently, he knew where every component was and assisted us with the settings on the chimes.”
The clock tower project was originally funded by a grant from the Millennium Bureau of Canada, as well as community donations of more than $13,000 and contributions from the BIA and Chamber. Phillips says there are funds in the BIA budget to cover the repairs and The Verdin Company is preparing a quote and action plan.
The true value of the clock tower is greater than the actual cost. Phillips asserts, “The Market Clock Tower is a very important landmark in our community and an entrance point to our treasured Farmers’ Market. There is a time capsule at the base of the clock tower, which is to be opened in 2025. The Chamber and BIA will ensure that this Clock Tower is refurbished and preserved in John’s memory and to carry on the legacy of this Millennium project.”
Thanks to the efforts of these community volunteers, the Market Clock Tower chimes will continue to be heard reminding Hagersville residents and visitors of a Millennium legacy and the precious gift of time.
