The Future of the clock tower depends on you!

Rochester, MN is a community with a rich history; preserving that history is a point of civic pride for many. Now, you have the opportunity to breathe new life into a Rochester landmark that has inspired the community for many generations.

A new tower, reminiscent of the first fire station’s design, will be erected near its original location to not only honor our city’s past, but also firefighters and first responders, past, present, and future.

Honor our city, its past, and its heroes by donating or reserving a paver today!

Donate Today

Restoring a Rochester Landmark

When it was first built, the Clock Tower was one of Rochester’s most recognizable landmarks and served the community by alerting city firefighters to emergencies. Its construction was entirely community funded. When the fire station was demolished, the clock and bell were spared, but lost for decades.

Thanks again to community efforts, the clock and bell were resurrected and housed at the downtown First Bank location, and then later at the Mayo Civic Center until it was removed in 2015 to make way for the massive Civic Center expansion project.

Now the clock and bell need a new home and it’s once again up to our community to make it happen.

Help preserve our city’s history while giving a gift to its future by making a donation or reserve a paver today!

History of the Clock Tower

The tower was first erected with its bell in 1898 with the Central Fire Station and was one of the most recognizable city monuments. In 1899 the iconic clock face and clock works were installed after being entirely financed by community fundraising.

It dutifully served the community by alerting firefighters to emergencies until 1930, when the fire station was demolished to make way for city expansion. Though the clock and bell were spared, they became lost and forgotten.

It wasn’t until 1965, when Fire Chief Orville ‘Ollie’ Mertz, who had remembered the Clock Tower from his childhood, became determined to resurrect it.

After a decade of searching, Chief Mertz managed to locate the original clock and bell and find them a new home at First Bank downtown, then later at the Mayo Civic Center.

In 2015, the Clock Tower was taken down once again when the Mayo Civic Center was remodeled.

Again, a devoted member of the community stepped up.

Alan Calavano, also known as “Mr. Rochester Historian,” took up the cause. He challenged the community with a $100,000 matching grant to restore the Clock Tower and erect it near its original location. Just as they had over 100 years ago, the community came together to raise funds to match Calavano’s grant; but this is only the start of what’s needed.

The Clock Tower has inspired individuals and the whole community to act; now is your chance to become part of its legacy. Reserve a paver or donate to the Clock Tower.