Time has returned to downtown Bonners Ferry.

After more than a 25-year absence following the removal of a square clock mounted on a pole in front of the now defunct 1st Security Bank on Main Street, time has reared up over the heart of downtown from a 50-foot tower on the roof of City Hall.

And with spring lighting up the north Idaho skyline, the timing of the city's unique four-faced clock tower that can be seen coming down both the North and South Hill couldn't be more fitting.

It if doesn't quite rival Big Ben of Westminster of landmark clock towers like Moscow's Spasskaya Tower, it still carries a panache and a distinct flair symbolized by its red-peaked cap and wrap-around catwalks all of its own.

It has taken nearly a year to transform the former cinder block tower - which once served as the fire department's hose tower in the 1950s - into what former city administrator Mike Woodward called the "capstone of downtown."

"It was a diamond-in-the-rough just waiting to happen," said Woodward. "The painting on the old tower had been peeling for years, the structure was chipped, and it was definitely an eyesore. It has turned into something very appealing that adds a lot of charm to Bonners Ferry."

Sparked by a community fundraiser that pulled in close to $23,000, the clock tower - which was repainted and underwent a series of costly repairs - was originally planned to be in operation by Christmas.

But coupled with a December freeze and one of north Idaho's harshest winters, work on installing the clocks was shelved until spring.

"From day one when I decided to take on the project, I envisioned how magnificent this might look," said Jay Cohn, who chaired the city's Clock Tower Advisory Committee. "But it turned out even better."

There was some initial disappointment, however, when the project would not be completed in December as the committee had hoped.

"Now that it's up and running, it's like opening a big Christmas present but without the snow," said Cohn. "It's very fulfilling to see how spectacular the clock tower turned out."

It's not the first time a clock tower had been planned for the downtown area.

Six years ago, architects designing the city's downtown revitalization plan penciled in a clock tower in a conceptual drawing along with an archway spanning Kootenai Street near the courthouse.

But the idea was eventually scrapped due to a lack of funding.

"We have a noon whistle and a clock tower co-existing on top of City Hall in the heart of downtown," said Cohn. "Not many places can top that. But lately, I've been envisioning how great it would look up there with a garden of flower beds planted under the tower tended by our master gardeners. Wouldn't that be something?"

May 05, 2008

I am very impressed with not only the subperb manner in which this article was written but also the beautiful photography that accompanied this article. Jay Cohn has captured the beauty of Bonner's Ferry in this article and for that I congratulate him.

In fact, my wife and I are planning a trip to Portland, Oregon this summer and have placed Bonner's Ferry as a must see on our to do list. Members of your community should be very proud of this accomplishment.

Walter Capell
wcapell@davidsonfink.com