Belding Clocktower
Born: circa 1903
Residence: Belding, MI - USA
Died: Approved for demolition fall of 2012 at the tender age of just109 years.
Cause of death: The clocktower suffered a slow and painful death primarily out of neglect, and disrespect for culture that not even the love and devotion of the local Historic District watching over it could prevent.
The clocktower came-to-be approximately two years after construction of its ‘mother’ one of the oldest silk mill factories in the country. The tower was constructed because the Owners of the mill were tired of their employees arriving late for work and the magical sound of the bells it tolled would send reminders to the city for miles around letting them know it was time for work!
The clocktower is survived by one ‘brother’, Richardson Mill of Belding, the Silk City Preservation Society, its former Historic District Commission and by countless thousands of other culturally respectful citizens across the country and the world.
The clocktower was preceded in death by an historic warehouse building (c. 1925) and two ‘brother’ mills in October of 1997; both of which suffered from the same neglect and lack of respect which ultimately caused demolition for one, and a fire [still listed as ‘suspicious’] for the other. Both brothers [properties] were at one time owned by Gibson and Delta Properties.
Services: On-going, with a final date to pay your respect to be determined within the next few weeks. Visitations are encouraged 24/7 from several hundred vantage points across town and through the extensive resources at the Belding Public Library and Belrockton.
Interment: An unmarked grave in some cold and un-feeling landfill. Other remains of the clocktower will be parted-out and likely stored in some damp, musty ole storage room; probably in the basement of the Belding City Hall with a slight possibility for resurrection in the future.
Funeral director: Electolux; one of the leading companies that are becoming more and more famous for neglecting their properties and abandoning cities across the world leaving visual blight, environmental issues and countless (previously devoted) unemployed workers hanging in the balance.
Memorial ‘contributions’ may be submitted (and are encouraged) at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 20 in the year of the Lord 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot St. in Belding.
Gone - flitted away,
Taken the stars from the night and the sun
From the day!
Gone, and a cloud in my heart.
~Alfred Tennyson
Goodbye dear friend
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