Guadalupe California ST Street Clock

[Eckmill]

Many years ago I observed this Seth Thomas Street clock in one of California's most out-of-the-way towns, Guadalupe.

The clock stands in front of a jewelry store with no name. The proprietor, then very elderly, told me this clock and an identical clock in nearby Santa Maria was bought before the turn of the last century. When asked if the clock was for sale, his reply was "give me your card." "Everybody wants to buy it but they don't want to buy my watches." He showed me a cigar box full of business cards from passers by who wanted the clock.

The owner claimed that the two clocks were shipped "around the horn" to save shipping cost and that it cost more to have the clocks brought by train from San Francisco, 200 miles North, than the cost by ship from New York to San Francisco!


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[kirxklox]

Single or Double Dial?

What does it say on the Crest?

[Eckmill]

Originally Posted by kirxklox

Single or Double Dial?

What does it say on the Crest?

Good questions Kirk. I dug into my archives and found my 1998 notes.

The double face Seth Thomas clock has the name of the jeweler, H.Y. Katayama in neon across the top. I can only speculate that the two-faced clock was oriented toward the street because of the extreme width of the roadway.

The clock was purchased by the then (1998) present owner's parents in the 1920's.

Think about this: It is likely that the Katayama family was interned during WWII on account of their Japanese ancestry. Thus the business was either shuttered during the period or operated by a leasee. Few interned Japanese-Americans returned to their pre-WWII homes and businesses.

[Jane (Honda ) Eckstein]

I am the grandaughter of Mr. Henry Katayama, the original owner of the clock and the store. He and my Grandmother , as well as my mother ran the store until they were interned. The store was closed and maintained by our friends who owned the bakery that use to be next door. After the war, my mother married Masami J. Honda. He ran the store and a store in neighboring Santa Maria . After My grandfather past away, my father ran the store until 2007. The clock was donated to the City of Guadalupe, by my brother and I.

Note: The clock was turned to its present position due to several mishaps with large trucks hitting it when they parked. Also, the store sign was the clock.
Therefore, the store's name was " Katayama Jewelers", now closed.

[RobertG]

I have some close up photos of this clock at home and will try to find them to post here this weekend.

The clock is not operational and, as of last year when I took the photos, was in very poor condition, at least externally.

RobertG

[RobertG]

Here are the photos I took of the clock in September of 2008.

RobertG

[RobertG]

Originally Posted by Jane (Honda ) Eckstein

I am the grandaughter of Mr. Henry Katayama, the original owner of the clock and the store.

Jane:

Welcome to the NAWCC message board, and thank you for the information on your family and their clock!

RobertG

[BILL KAPP]

I visited the store a few times over the last decade and he told me that he was an Elgin trained repairman. He didn't do much work the last few years and there was very little for sale in the store.

I think he just liked getting out of the house and visiting with people who would come by the store either to admire the clock or chat with him.

There was a similar clock in Santa Maria on main street, but it had the movement taken out and electrified. I can't recall the store name but it is now in Orcutt Calif and they moved the clock there also.

happy hunting,

[RobertG]

Jane:

I have sent you a PM.

Thank you.

RobertG

[BILL KAPP]

Hi guys and gals,

Chapter 52 may get involved in restoring this beauty! http://williamkapp.tripod.com/id53.htm

Robt: Do you mind if we use your photo's on the website?

All: If we run into problems, are any of you close by and available for consultation and assistance?

Thanks and

happy hunting,