Stanford Clock Tower

The Stanford Clock Tower is located on the university campus and features a classical structure with visible mechanical timekeeping systems. The building displays exposed gears and weights that operate through manual winding to keep the tower's bells and clock faces functioning.

The clock mechanism was manufactured in 1901 and originally housed in Stanford Memorial Church until the 1906 earthquake damaged the building. After the disaster, the timekeeping system was relocated several times before settling in its current location.

Students and faculty members gather near the tower during campus ceremonies, making it a central location for university community traditions.

The clock mechanism requires manual winding twice each week, with student volunteers handling regular maintenance work. Visitors can observe the exposed mechanics from outside, providing a view of the working timekeeping system.

Engineering students in the 1990s added a temperature-compensating pendulum to improve the clock's accuracy during changing weather conditions. This upgrade demonstrates how students continue to refine and care for the historical mechanism.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 37.42590,-122.16900

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04