Red Bluff
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4 Red Bluff 2012 Cone & Kimball Clock Tower stands tall Like Red Bluff's own Phoenix rising out of the ashes, the Cone & Kimball clock tower once again stands tall at the corner of Main and Walnut streets. Victorian clock tower stood atop the huge Cone & Kimball building, a structure that housed Zuckweiler's depart- ment store for many years. Visible for miles in any direc- tion, it was the centerpiece of Red Bluff, the most impressive of many historic structures. On April 30, 1984, it was destroyed by fire. The scar it left remained for years while various groups considered what might be done. In February 1997, the Rotary Foundation purchased the cor- ner lot and began work on a plan to revitalize downtown. In December 2002, Rotary got the clock tower project under way and in the ensuing years raised money and sought and got grants. Work on construction of a replica clock tower got under way off site west of the city. It was constructed in five pieces, From 1886 until 1984, the with four "lifts" scheduled over a period of months. The lowest and largest section was built at the location. Freestanding white, steel columns installed in 2006 may have raised as many ques- tions as nicknames for the monolith. That changed one morning early in 2007 when a crane lowered the second level onto the columns. Work progressed throughout 2007 with an additional level being installed in the summer. The clocks and lights would go up in fall and the face work and roof tiles in the winter. Scaffolding around the project came down in February 2008 and exposed an almost com- pleted tower. The final piece, a weather vane, was placed top the tower during April 2008 dedication ceremony. Only some land- scaping and brick work remain to be completed as funding allows. Actual cost of the project may never be known, since so many people donated not only money and materials but also time. One estimate put the dol- The Cone & Kimball Clock Tower, dedicated in April 2008, is decorated for the Christmas season. Board Certified by American Board of Ophthalmology Clinical Professor at UC Davis Medical Center DANIEL M. KING, M.D. PHYSICIAN & EYE SURGEON 411 Cedar Street, Red Bluff (530) 527-6123 Serving Red Bluff for 28 years lar figure at around $600,000. Much of the work took place up close. off-site at Triple D's Metal & Steel Fabrication. Volunteer Steve Judson, of Steve Judson Engineering, designed the new 75-foot clock tower. The origi- nal tower was 100 feet, but the replica is still visible to drivers on Interstate 5. The Cone & Kimball Plaza is a relaxing place to take a break in shopping and behold the beauty of the clock tower Red Bluff Rotary Foundation, Downtown Red Bluff Business Association improvement pro- ject that is supported by the city of Red Bluff. For more information about the Cone & Kimball Plaza or if you would like to donate to help with the project, call Venita Philbrick at 529-1134. All donations are tax deductible. The tower and plaza is a