Beale Memorial Clock Tower, Clock tower at Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, California
Beale Memorial Clock Tower is a structure that rises about 60 feet and features a bell mechanism along with an iron spiral staircase inside. The design includes decorative metalwork and balcony railings that show the construction style of its time.
The structure was built in 1904 as a gift from Truxtun Beale to honor his mother Mary Edwards and originally stood at Chester Avenue. It was moved to its current location on the museum grounds in 1952.
The tower displays the craftsmanship of the early 1900s with visible metalwork that shows visitors how structures were built and decorated at that time. The railings and ornamental details reflect the design choices people made back then.
The tower is located on the museum grounds at 3801 Chester Avenue and is easy for visitors to find while exploring the property. You can see it while walking through the museum area during regular hours.
In 1912, city planners and businesses wanted to demolish the tower to expand a trolley line, but local residents protested against it successfully. The community's action saved the structure from disappearing.
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