Howdy, Neighbor

Cliffside Clock in Tower Rules Over Many Activities

By Ernestine Bodie, Herald-Journal Piedmont Editor

Cliffside, NC Feb.16 – The tower clock struck 12. People appeared from all directions, hurrying hither and yon. One Cliffside resident took out a heavy pocket watch, looked at the huge dial above him, smiled and put his time-peace back into his pocket . . .

“Don’t forget to mention our clock–that’s what rules Cliffside”, said Mrs. I. N. Biggerstaff, “keeper of the keys” of the R. R. Haynes Memorial Building –which has the tower which has the town clock.

“Did you see our big ole clock?” asked Ben Hunnicutt. Who takes part in everything that comes along in Cliffside, which is only 27 miles north of Spartanburg.

“That clock is the most important thing in town,” declared H. C. Beatty, superintendent of Cliffside Public Schools.

The clock chimes at 15-minute intervals night and day.

“It stops sometimes,” smiled Mrs. Biggerstaff, “and then my telephone starts ringing. We just couldn’t get along without that clock.”

From the Spartanburg Herald-Journal — 1944. Clipping courtesy Ben Honeycutt.