slide
Catalog Number
2018.4.30.12Date of Origin
ca. 1980Artist/Author
noneMaterials
paperDimensions
2 in.Description
Color slide showing 8th Street, in Holland, MI, on the north side looking west towards River Ave. The clock tower is visible in the background. At right, Meyer Music House and Lievense Insurance signs are visible.History
Hans Meyer (1827-1899) founded Meyer Music in Holland, MI in 1872. Hans’ son, Albert Hans Meyer (1859-1952), joined him in 1877. Hans is buried in Holland’s Pilgrim Home Cemetery beside his wife Jenne Lubbers Meyer (1835-1889). From as early as 1921 to as late as 1952, Meyer Music was located at 17 West 8th St.The Tower Clock building at River and 8th was built in 1892 for $27,000. This Victorian Romanesque structure was constructed of Waverly Stone from the local quarry. The first occupant was the Holland City State Bank under the leadership of bank president Jacob Van Putten.
John Raven (1866-1968), Holland resident and local jeweler, told the City Bank he would build a clock in the building so “men wouldn’t be late for work”. Raven installed the clock machinery and the timepiece began ticking on November 11, 1893. Raven raised the $600 for the clock from donations from merchants, furniture factories and Cappon-Bertsch Leather Co. He was helped by L.P. Husen.
When first constructed the entrance of the Tower Clock building was reached by circular stone steps. The original building was beautiful but inconvenient so in 1919 the building’s floor was lowered to become level with the street and the entire entrance was changed.
Tower Clock continues to serve as a prominent landmark for the downtown district.