Hellertown's Clock Tower Has a Lasting Legacy

The story of the Hellertown clock tower is well documented, its inspirational and heartwarming beginnings chronicled by local media. The lasting legacy of the timepiece is equally poignant. Like a lighthouse beacon on a foggy night, the clock tower serves as a welcoming and comforting reminder of home and community for local and out-of-town residents alike.

Sentiment for the 1930s clock that once hung on a New York City building and its community-built tower runs just as high today as it did more than two decades ago, when the tower was dedicated. People who have heard the tale of this legendary timepiece periodically approach borough residents Joseph and Eleanor Delfoe, whose efforts made the clock tower a reality nearly 25 years ago, for personal tours or to offer a donation to the maintenance fund. Lehigh University students find Detwiller Plaza, which is home to the clock tower, on their annual scavenger hunt list, with instructions to copy the inscription from the dedication plaque. Hellertown Borough police officers even wear a patch featuring the clock and tower on their uniforms (the time on the clock is set to 4:05pm, the time the tower's last stone was laid). New residents and reporters who have never before heard the story of the clock tower (like me) find it fascinating and worthy of retelling.

Countless individuals, volunteers, community leaders, politicians, businesses, members of the press, schools, service clubs and organizations who donated time, money, publicity, supplies and resources still pay tribute to the project that brought them together.

“Nearly no one said ‘no,’” recalls Joseph, who with his wife still maintains the clock, tower and surrounding plaza. “People just wanted to be a part of it. Some donated money or participated in fundraisers. Saucon Valley High School students drew up plans, concrete was donated, Bethlehem Vo-Tech students constructed the redwood tower top, a crane was loaned free of charge, and so much more. Jeff King, a stone layer whose wife works at a local bank, wanted to be able to show his grandchildren, so he offered to lay the stone.”

The final piece of the initial project was the purchase and installation of the chimes, donated by 95-year-old Hellertown resident Addie Frey. Frey only asked that the first song the chimes played was "Amazing Grace," in memory of her husband Walter.

The original chimes have been replaced by electronic ones. Songs are randomly played hourly from 9am to 9pm, every day of the year. Timely or seasonal tunes can be heard for special occasions such as holidays and special events. Approximately 500 songs are owned by the Hellertown Plaza Clock Association, Inc. (the corporation set up by the Delfoes to accept donations and cover ongoing maintenance of the clock tower). 

“I hope that when Eleanor and I are gone, our children and others will continue the work that we started. It has been a true labor of love for us and is a true legacy for us, the community and the Borough of Hellertown,” concludes Joseph.