Jul. 30, 2014:  "A village clock that can be relied upon is badly needed," an unnamed writer noted in the December 3, 1921, edition of The Bronxville Review. . . . "We should have on the Village Square an accurate clock, visible from all directions."

This month, that four-faced street clock, installed in the early 1920s by Gramatan National Bank and restored and repaired by Electric Time Company, Inc. of Medfield, Massachusetts, was reinstalled as a functioning landmark, the result of a three-year partnership between The Bronxville Historical Conservancy and People's United Bank.

Visible from all directions, the clock once again displays the correct time from its four milky white translucent dials, each behind a glass "crystal," and all housed in a copper-faced cube with beveled corners. A braided pattern outlines the bevels and a scalloped rope design frames the clock faces. In keeping with historical accuracy and custom, each clock face displays numerals in fonts and hands in the style of the original clock, as well as the People's United Bank logo. The original clock showed Gramatan National Bank's name.

"I was so excited to watch the installation," said Mayor Mary Marvin. "The clock is a gateway structure to our village and has great importance as a historic landmark."

Eloise Morgan, village historian and ex-officio board member of The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, noted that when People's United Bank opened a branch in the former Gramatan National Bank Building after Bank of New York left the location, the clock was in a seriously deteriorated condition.

The concrete post supporting the clock had many cracks and some of the copper skin on the clock's face had come away. The interior structure had been reduced to rust and the clock's hands had stood, frozen, at a few minutes before six o'clock, for several years.

"There was some question about what would be done with the clock," said Bill Dowling, Conservancy co-chair. "The Conservancy felt it was a very important local landmark." In 2011, Morgan began researching options for restoring or replicating the original clock or purchasing a new one.

Morgan pointed out that most street clocks have two faces and that Bronxville's clock, with four faces, is quite unusual. "We looked at catalogues of reproductions and found nothing close to this clock," she said. She also sought referrals to companies specializing in historic clock restoration.

Morgan and Bob Riggs, a founding Conservancy member, opened the discussion with People's United Bank and proposed a collaboration to restore the clock, the Conservancy's goal being to have a street clock consistent with the surrounding development.

In 2013, People's United Bank agreed to fund the project and accepted the bid from Electric Time Company, Inc., the Conservancy's recommended restorer. The bank also coordinated the reinstallation, from replacing wiring to arranging for delivery. During the restoration, the bank worked with the Conservancy to approve plans and choices of materials.

Morgan pointed out that Electric Time Company, Inc. was able to reuse virtually all of the old clock's copper but had to fabricate some of the missing braid using another material. The company replicated the post's dimensions and design and made it from a pebbled concrete closely resembling the original.

"The Conservancy is thrilled," said Morgan, "and I think probably everybody in Bronxville is thrilled. We're very grateful to People's United Bank for stepping up and for honoring the historic nature of the clock and how it looks in its setting."

In expressing appreciation on behalf of the Conservancy, Dowling said, "I think the bank made a terrific gesture in showing its commitment to the community because the clock is definitely a Bronxville landmark."

"We were very proud to partner with The Bronxville Historical Conservancy to restore such a beloved town focal point," said Stephanie Weston, vice president and market manager, People's United Bank. "It is historically and culturally significant to us and to our neighbors--we are excited to see it in operation in our special community for many years to come."

To see photos of the installation of the restored clock, click here:  Village Clock Restored.

Pictured here: The newly restored village clock standing outside People's United Bank near the train station.

Photo above and photos in link by N. Bower