Knox County Courthouse Clock Tower Gets Cleaned for the Upcoming Daylight Saving Time

The Knox County Commissioners has signed a $50,000 contract with the local pest control company CRNAC to do a thorough cleaning on the Knox County Courthouse clock tower. Part of the significant clean-up is to remove dead bats and birds from the attic areas. The Knox County Courthouse clock tower has been a famous landmark around Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Both locals and visitors were surprised by the massive giant crane used to lift workers to get inside the clock tower. According to commissioner Kellie Streeter, they’ve done an excellent job, especially in places that haven’t been touched for years. They have asked for a quote to do some buttoning up and cleaning of the clock tower.

Aside from the significant clean-up, there will also be a restoration once the project is done and funds collected for the next project. This is because the bell in the clock tower hasn’t been functional for years. So the company will adequately seal it so that no more damage will be done. 

“Gears are missing,” Streeter explained. “We’ve gotten quotes on that, and I think maybe we’ll look at trying to budget that for 2022,” Streeter added. Long ago, the Knox County Courthouse clock tower kept time with a pendulum and weights. Meaning someone had to climb up into the building to wind it once a week manually. 

In the 1940s, some parts of the clock movement were replaced by synchronized time motors, making the clock more automated. However, it has to be manually changed two times a year because of Daylight Saving Time. This is done in March and November.