It’s a clock, a moon, a navigation aid, and for half a century, a world record-holder. The Allen-Bradley Clock has towered above Milwaukee’s South Side since 1962. When it debuted, it was the largest four-faced clock in the world, measuring nearly 40 feet across each of the four clock faces. It supplanted London’s Big Ben in that category, but they did not add chimes on the Allen-Bradley Clock so Big Ben could remain the world’s largest chiming four-faced clock. It stands 283 feet high, visible for miles around – even way out on Lake Michigan, where it remains a nautical aid on navigation maps. On a clear night, the light of the clock can be seen over 25 nautical miles away.
The clock was unveiled on October 31, 1962 – yes, Halloween night – and with its luminous faces became known as the “Polish Moon” since the south side neighborhoods at that time were predominantly Polish.
On the other side of the building’s roof is another, shorter tower that announces the temperature, which we’ve seen as low as -5F to +103F. It is one way to see what the temperature is near the lake, which depending on the season, can vary quite a bit from the temperature inland!
Inside the clock tower is reception space, originally for clients of the Allen-Bradley Company and now for Rockwell Automation. Occasionally, events hosted from outside take place there. At this time, there are no formal tours.
But when you’re around the Allen-Bradley Clock, you always know what time it is.
You can spot the Allen-Bradley Clock from numerous spots around Milwaukee, including the I-43/I-94 High Rise Bridge, the Hoan Bridge (I-794) and nearby Greenfield Avenue (Highway 59) and particularly from 1st Street/Highway 32, which goes RIGHT alongside of it.
Allen-Bradley Clock Address at Rockwell Automation:
1201 S. 2nd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
