Don't Get All Wound Up About Iconic Salem Clock Disappearance

SALEM, MA — The Almy's Clock will be taking a timeout from Salem next week as it undergoes what is expected to be an eight-week restoration process.

The clock will be removed on Thursday morning, weather permitting, and is expected to be back in early June.

The Essex Street Pedestrian Walk will be closed that morning to facilitate the clock's removal.

Electric Time Co. will conduct the work, which includes the removal of the clock and transportation to the company's facility where the cast iron case will be sandblasted and restored, and the clock mechanism will be inspected, cleaned and repaired where necessary.

Pumel Construction will be on site for excavation work on Wednesday with the removal taking place the next morning. The pedestrian mall is expected to be closed for two to three hours. After removal, a steel plate will be installed over the sidewalk opening.

The Almy Clock has stood in Salem since 1910 where for 75 years it was in front of the old Almy, Bigelow & Washburn Department Store until it closed in 1985. Volunteers from The Essex Condominium complex where the department store once was have maintained the clock for the past 25 years, but it has never been professionally restored.

The restoration will help stem the rust that has begun to build up through multiple layers of painting and repainting.

"The Almy’s Clock is a beloved community landmark in downtown Salem," said the Preserving Salem website. "In addition to providing time, the Clock serves as the last remaining vestige from one of Salem’s largest department stores and is a visual reminder of Downtown Salem’s 20th century role as the commercial hub of the North Shore."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.