Lacona Clock Tower
Why it's listed
Rising beside the railroad tracks at the west edge of Lacona's commercial center, this three-tier red brick clock tower was built in 1925. It has a square plan, a pyramidal metal roof topped by a brass weathervane, a clock stage with a round glass face on each side, and an upper belfry holding the village bell. Buff brick forms quoin-like corners and highlights the corbelling and segmental arched openings, giving the tower a Tudor-influenced look. The Coterie Club, a women's service club founded in 1913, raised $1,400 for the project, and the village added $1,000. Four prominent citizens gave the weathervane. The tower marked the centennial of the town of Sandy Creek and was placed so the clock could be seen from the main street and the depot platform. It is valued as a well-crafted, largely unaltered civic landmark and remains the most prominent architectural landmark in the village.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be an intact example of an early twentieth century civic monument, reflecting the City Beautiful civic improvement movement and eclectic historicist styles with Tudor influence. It is also noted for its two-color patterned brickwork and as an expression of civic pride marking the Sandy Creek town centennial and the prosperity of the railroad depot area.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88002220, listed November 15, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Harwood Dr., Lacona |
|---|---|
| County | Oswego County |
| Listed | November 15, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002220 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architectural style | Early twentieth century civic monument with Tudor style influence (eclectic historicist) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as fair; the tower still serves as a clock tower, with a working electric clock, and the interior is accessible only for maintenance. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 43.64340, -76.06963 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88002220.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6468791
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.