Pier Ward in Victoria, La Riviere Anglaise, Seychelles — Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa)

The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower (1903)

Photographed by Shaw Zavoshy, October 11, 2024

1. The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower (1903) Marker

Inscription. The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower was unveiled on 1st April 1903 by Administrator Ernest Bickham Sweet Escott (1857-1941). It was a memorial to Her Majesty Queeen Victoria Alexandrina (1819-1901). It was paid for partly by public subscriptions which amounted to Rs 3,233.81 cts. The clock tower which is made of cast iron was originally black. It was painted silver in 1935 during celebrations to mark King George V's Jubilee.

Erected by Creative Seychelles Agency, Office of the Mayor of Victoria.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1903.

Location. 4° 37.401′ S, 55° 27.144′ E. Marker is in Victoria, La Riviere Anglaise. It is in the Pier Ward. It is at the intersection of Independence Avenue and Rue de la Possession on Independence Avenue. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Africa,

Sub-Saharan Africa,

the Indian Ocean,

and specifically at one of the Indian Ocean Islands. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least one other

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marker is within walking distance of this marker: Liberty House (1953) (within shouting distance of this marker).

Also see . . . The Victoria clock tower: iconic feature of the Seychelles’ capital city turns 115. Article by the Seychelles News Agency, April 2, 2018. Excerpt:

A landmark dating back to the colonial era, the clock tower was erected in memory of Queen Victoria, who died in 1901.

Seychellois historian Tony Mathiot said that “the inauguration of the Victoria clock tower in our little capital on Wednesday the 1st of April in 1903 was a precursory event that introduced a new chapter in the history of our islands.”

The clock tower, which back then cost around $468 -- about $12,300 in today's dollars -- was made of cast iron by Gillet & Johnson, a clockmaker and bell foundry based in Croydon, England. These were known as “Little Big Bens” because of their similarity to the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London.

Mathiot said, “throughout all those decades, like a living thing the clock tower has witnessed our gradual evolution from an island protectorate to a Republican sovereignty.”

(Submitted on October 11, 2024.)

The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower (1903) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shaw Zavoshy, October 11, 2024

2. The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower (1903)

Post Office and Clock Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by S.S. Obashi, photographer, Seychelles, circa 1910

3. Post Office and Clock Tower

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 589 times since then and 193 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.