Baxter Clock
Why it's listed
Rising about twenty feet above a New Bern sidewalk, this four-dial post clock stands opposite the entrance of Baxter's Jewelry Store on Pollock Street. Seth Thomas of Thomaston, Connecticut, made it of cast iron with brass and steel works, and shipped it in July 1920 as the jewelry store moved to Pollock Street. A square pedestal carries a fluted column with a stylized Corinthian capital, topped by a bulbous head with lion's-head ornaments and a three-tiered finial. Lettering on the faces advertises Baxter the jeweler and an eyesight specialist. The design dates to earlier Seth Thomas catalogs, and this installation was one of the later examples of it. It is the only clock of its type known to survive in North Carolina, and only three other similar operating clocks were identified elsewhere in the country. All parts are original, and the clock still keeps time. Its listing recognizes it as rare street furniture and a symbol of 1920s commercial flamboyance.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the clock as a rare surviving example of an ornate four-dial Seth Thomas post clock, the only one of its type known to survive in North Carolina. Only three other similar operating clocks were identified nationally. The clock is original, still operates, and symbolizes Baxter's Jewelry Store and the exuberant pre-Depression commercial era.
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 73001319, listed July 2, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 323 Pollock St., New Bern |
|---|---|
| County | Craven County |
| Listed | July 2, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001319 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (clock dated 1920) |
| Architect / builder | Seth Thomas Company, Thomaston, Connecticut |
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition, unaltered, on its original site; the clock still operates and is kept in perfect repair, with all components original. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.10667, -77.03924 (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 73001319.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18148366
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.