Historic Clock in Downtown Sedalia Officially Dedicated by Mayor Dawson

The return of a historic clock to the downtown area was celebrated with a dedication ceremony Monday afternoon by Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson.

The well-known clock, which is estimated to be over 140 years old, was installed at 217 South Ohio on Tuesday, July 1, after a 35-year-absense. (see link)

The oversized clock was first installed in the 1880s by Bichsel’s Jewelry at 226 South Ohio

The clock was later moved across the street to 217 South Ohio when Bichsel changed locations, and the old building at 226 was torn down in 1915 to make way for F. W. Woolworth.

In 1969, C. W. Flower acquired Bischel Jewelry.

The giant iron clock was moved in 1990 when Bichsel’s moved from the downtown area to a new location in the Thompson Hills Shopping Center. This move came after Mark Callis bought the business in 1989, after having managed it since 1978.

When Bichsel moved once again to 770 Winchester, the huge clock, now a local landmark, once again, followed the business to the new location in September of 2006.

Bichsel Jewelry closed on November 18, 2024 after 160 years of serving Central Missouri.

On Monday, Mayor Dawson stood outside on the sidewalk at the clock’s newest location, and noted how the clock has stood watch over generations of Sedalians.

“Through every season, every parade, every changing storefront, it has marked the rhythm of our daily lives. Its return to South Ohio is not only a triumph of craftmanship and care, but a symbol of our city’s  enduring spirit … resilient, proud and forward-looking,” Dawson said.

Mayor Dawson went on to thank The Sedalia City Council, Project Manager Jeremy Stone, Building Maintenance Supervisor Doug Roberts, Public Works Operations Director Justin Bray, Crew Supervisor Brent Stevenson, Former Downtown Planner Joleigh Cornine, Assistant Director of Sedalia Parks John Simmons, Mark Callis, Jeb Cates (All Pro Excavation & Directional Boring), Duane Bishop (Clock Nook), and Bob Walters.

“Today, as we dedicate this historic timepiece, let it stand as a monument to Sedalia’s Heritage and as a testament to what we can achieve when public spirit and private generosity come together. The Bichsel clock is more than iron and gears – it is memory, identity and hope for the future,” Mayor Dawson concluded.

A reception was held after the brief ceremony at 217 South Ohio, where The Cellar Door is located.

Business Owner Kim Boggs held the reception and open house for her new business, which officially opens Friday, July 18.

Boggs said she had no input on where the historic clock was placed, but seemed happy it was in front of her business.

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Callis said he remembered when the mechanical clock was converted from using counter-weights and chains to using modern electricity to keep time.

“Our jeweler Kevin Johnston kept it running for almost 50 years,” Callis said. “Once we put that electric motor in, it just ran non-stop.”

As noted in Becky Imhauser’s book, “All Along Ohio Street,” the clock, with its 41-inch illuminated dial that sat atop a 15-foot-tall iron base, originally cost $400 in 1882.

In today’s dollars, that would be around $11,600.

Becky’s book also noted that the clock experienced two near-death experiences, both of them due to Mother Nature.

High winds toppled the clock in 1965 and again in 2003. But both times, it was ultimately repaired and put on display for all to enjoy.

After it was damaged in 2003, Callis shipped it out of state, and the guy that did the repairs on it, painted it green for reasons unknown.

It lived at Thompson a while longer before moving it to its last location on Winchester.

Brian Michael and Trevon Franklin hand painted the entire clock, including the faces and little numbers and hands.

“It took us three days to complete. We painted it in October of 2022," Michael recalled.