For a little while, one question rang through Morden:
Where is the replica clock tower?
The Pembina Hills Arts Council, which is housed in the iconic full-sized version of the sought-after replica, posed the question after spotting the handiwork in old pictures taken at the Corn & Apple parade.
Unfortunately, the investigation didn’t have a fairytale ending, but even so, there’s a possibility that it will give way to something just as valuable.
The mystery begins
Kim Goodine, a member of the Pembina Hills Arts Council board of directors, says the organization was interested in locating the miniature and reintroducing it to the community.
“This replica was used in the past as a float in the Corn & Apple parade,” she says. “The building is a huge part of Morden’s history, about 110 years old. It definitely deserves a place in the parade again.”
The replica’s life-sized version is a beloved piece of Morden’s downtown. Goodine says it was built between 1913 and 1915.
“It was originally a federal building and used for postal services and customs. It is now owned by the city of Morden, which graciously allows the Pembina Hills Art Council to operate out of it,” she says.
“It has officially been designated a heritage site.”
Since the tower is such a cherished part of downtown Morden, the Pembina Hills Arts Council was eager to find it.
A ‘sad’ end
Although the board didn’t know where the replica was, it knew that the late Roy Friesen built the miniature clock tower.
“I am not sure why he made it, but if anybody does know that answer, I would really love to know why,” says Goodine. “It was quite a decent size — maybe about the size of a large shed — and it would sit on the back of a utility trailer that was towed by a vehicle in the parade. It had the iconic clock on it .... It was just a really great-looking replica.”
Unfortunately, after the Pembina Hills Arts Council posted its mystery online and followed some leads generated from it, it was discovered that the replica had been dismantled.
Although the board’s search has ended disappointingly (Goodine says everyone was “quite sad” at the news), the adventure has still evoked memories of days gone by.
“I think a lot of people remember seeing it in the parade, and it brings back really good memories for them,” says Goodine.
“I've had people comment on my posts and message me telling me they were either on that float or that Roy was a family member or a friend of theirs, and I think it's just been a welcome glimpse back into the past.”
Old stories, new leads
According to Goodine, the mission has also resulted in some new possibilities.
“I actually had a message from one of Roy’s granddaughters. She called to tell me her connection to Roy and how he used to also make beautiful wooden grandfather clocks. She actually believes there's one still at the art gallery with ‘RCMP’ on it,” she says. “We have plans to look through the basement of the gallery and try to find it and return it to her.”
Possibility for the future
Now that the news has broken that there is no longer a miniature clock tower, Goodine has also received messages from a few people interested in helping the board rebuild the symbol of Morden.
The board is also enthusiastic about it, but community help is necessary to make it happen.
“As a nonprofit organization, we don't have it in our budget to carry an extra expense. The cost of materials, labour and the shop would be too great,” says Goodine. “If we could find a hobby or industrial shop, donated lumber, supplies and the manpower and skills to do this, we definitely could make this idea come to life.”
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Goodine says anyone interested in participating in the project can contact the Pembina Hills Art Council at 204-822-6026.
Ultimately, she views the project as worthwhile for the city.
“I think a project like this has the potential to impact a large population. So many community members and visitors have fond memories of the clock tower,” she says.
“We would [love] to see a diverse range of ages, interests and skills come together for one project and give them something to share for years to come.”
Learning about an important community member
As for the settled mystery of the old miniature clock tower, even though it wasn’t recovered, what has come to light is the legacy of the talented hands that built it.
“I have had quite a few lovely chats with friends and family of Roy .... It was great to learn about him, his impact on the community, and how he is being remembered by so many people," says Goodine.
With files from Connie Bailey