Star Phoenix Clock

Description of the Historic Place

The Star Phoenix Clock features a large double faced clock that was constructed in 1920. The monument is located on the corner of 5th Avenue and 24th Street in the city’s downtown.

This historic place is listed under Bylaw No. 6770 (Holding Bylaw). This Bylaw provides short-term protection of the structure from demolition by providing for a 60 day holding period in the event a demolition permit is received. Within that 60 day period heritage designation is considered by City Council.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Star Phoenix Clock is its symbolic tribute to those Canadians who sacrificed their lives during World War I.

In 1912, Talmage Lawson and W. F. Bill Herman purchased the Capital, one of Saskatoon's daily newspapers (originally formed in 1902). Its name was changed to the Star, and in 1928 the Star and the Phoenix newspapers amalgamated to form the Star-Phoenix. Lawson went overseas during World War I leaving Herman to run the paper. Lawson was killed in action on October 8, 1915, along with twenty other Saskatoon men, when German mines blew up a trench near the village of Kemmel, Belgium. The Star Phoenix clock was erected in 1920 by Herman in memory of Lawson. 

The clock was originally placed on 20th Street. However, when the Star Phoenix moved offices in 1967 the clock moved with them to the corner of 5th Avenue and 24th Street. Originally a black/brown colour, the clock was sandblasted at the time of the move to remove the numerous layers of paint that had built up over the years. It was repainted a greenish-blue colour. The clock faces were also replaced and an electric motor was installed. The clock was originally powered by a heavy counterweight that had to be laboriously cranked up every Monday morning and took seven days to run down.  

The ornate street clock has two large faces positioned east and west, on a cast iron stand that now contains the clock motor.  Above the face is: "1920 The Star-Phoenix Clock" in gothic script.  A brass plaque on the west side of the base reads: "Erected by W. F. Herman to the Memory of Talmage Lawson Killed in Action October 8th, 1915."

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to the monument's historical significance including its double-sided clock face, cast iron stand, and inscriptions.