Friday, November 8, 2024 – TIME TO BE OFF THE ISLAND
ONLY TIME
WILL TELL ON THE
UPPER EAST SIDE
FRIDAY, NOV. 8, 2024
FRIENDS OF UPPER EAST SIDE
HISTORIC DISTRICTS
JUDITH BERDY
ISSUE #1339
The Historic Yorkville Clock: A Century-Old Timekeeper
Left: FRIENDS President Franny Eberhart and Executive Director Nuha Ansari ensuring the neighborhood stays on time. Right: Teri Slater, Erin Gray, Margot Gayle, Galyna Vaintonyak, and Lisa Kersavage in front of the clock, circa 1999
The Historic Yorkville Clock at 1501 Third Avenue is a remarkable timepiece dating back to 1898. A beloved fixture in Yorkville for generations, its oversized pocket watch design, featuring a giant screw and watch fob ring, adds a charming touch. Due to its intricate design and historical significance, the clock was designated a landmark in the 1980s. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation report (August 25, 1981) acknowledged the clock as a “fine example of the kind of street clock that once proliferated in New York and other American cities.” The report also praised its “distinctive design” and its positive impact on the “visual and historical character” of the Upper East Side. Additionally, the commission recognized the clock as an “important and increasingly rare street amenity” that makes a valuable contribution to New York City’s streetscape.
As a community group dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s history and architecture, FRIENDS has unofficially maintained the clock for years, adjusting it for Daylight Saving Time in the fall and spring. In 1999, Friends facilitated a complete restoration of the timepiece, ensuring that it would continue to grace the neighborhood for years to come. Thanks to the Friends’ ongoing dedication, the generous support of the Davenport family, and the invaluable contribution of Margot Gayle, the Historic Yorkville Clock remains a cherished symbol of the neighborhood’s rich history and architectural heritage.
QUESTION
Wasn’t there a time when the Tram was on the NYC Subway maps?
CREDITS
Friends of the Upper East Side Historic District
Judith Berdy
All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.
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rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com
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