Restored clock puts new face on Union Station

After some quality downtime, the historic clock at Union Station was restored to a new location in the front on Tuesday morning.

Rain spattered the face of the 500-pound clock as it was lowered onto its stand near the fountain on the south side of Union Station. The clock, which fell during a winter storm last year, has been restored and will once again greet station guests.

The original clock, made in the 1880s, has ticked in several locations downtown, but it was moved to Union Station in 1936. The clock was refurbished in 1999.

The new restoration and relocation cost $50,000, which was donated by the Rainen Family Foundation.

The clock originally stood on the sidewalk in front of the station, but its new location farther out from the building will help visually connect the station and the nearby Liberty Memorial.

“It fits perfectly with what we’re doing now on the plaza,” said station president George Guastello. “Now the clock greets people from all locations, from the station and from the memorial.”

An official ceremony will unveil the clock at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, when the nearby Bloch fountain will be rededicated.

This story was originally published June 28, 2016 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Restored clock puts new face on Union Station."