Portage County Historical Society
6549 North Chestnut St. Ravenna, Ohio 44266 - 330.296.3523
HOURS: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday -2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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The Proehl-Kline Clock
The Earl G. Proehl & Emmet J. Kline Clock Tower was started in 1970 and finished in 1973. The clock was originally at the top of the Portage County Court House in Ravenna and was removed when it was torn down in 1959. It was bought by Mr. Edward Waas from the construction company for $400.00 at the time it was removed.
It was bought at his estate sale in 1970 for $1600.00 by Portage County Historical Society Trustee Edward Beckwith. All the parts were then moved to the basement of the historical society by Paul Shaffer, County Engineer. Mr. Beckwith and Mr. James V. Ferry of Kent worked on the clock from its dismantling, repair of the parts, tower construction, installation and final operation of the clock.
The bricks for the tower came from structures that were being torn down in the area to make room for parking lots and new structures. One of these was the Poe family home on N. Meridian Street in Ravenna. Over 2000 bricks were were saved from the ruble for the tower. Another site was a building on the corner of Main & N. Water street in Kent that burned in 1972.
The stained glass window was in the H. Warner Riddle home located on E. Main in Ravenna. The eight inch fancy tile that is in the cross in the tower was part of the Ravenna City Band Stand. The wooden bell rope wheel is from the orginal 1830 Portage County Court House.
With the help of volunteers and carpenters, masons, welders and fabricators the finished 40 foot clock tower stands at the entrance of the property in the front lawn. The clock has recently had a tune up and all four faces are in working order.
