Central Hamilton , Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Clock of the Charging Horsemen

Photographed by Tim Boyd

1. Clock of the Charging Horsemen Marker

Inscription. This unique Hamilton landmark belonging to Henry Birks & Sons was first installed in 1930 on their building formerly at the south-east corner of King and James streets. Later removed, it was erected on this site in 1986. Designed by the English heraldic artist Kruger Gray, this one-ton masterpiece was modelled after the charging horsemen clock at Wells Cathedral, Somerset, England. One sees the jousting area before a medieval castle, with knights tilting every quarter hour.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 43° 15.413′ N, 79° 52.157′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Central Hamilton. It is at the intersection of King Street West and King Street West, on the right when traveling south on King Street West. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamilton ON L8P 4X2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe,

in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area,

and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

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is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lloyd D. Jackson Square (a few steps from this marker); The Official Birthplace of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club (a few steps from this marker); The Right House (now Park Place) (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pigott Building (about 150 meters away); 47 James Street South (about 150 meters away); The First Telephone Exchange in the British Empire (about 180 meters away); The City of Hamilton Cenotaph (about 180 meters away); Former Dominion Public Building (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . The Birks Building.

The original building at 1 James St. S was designed by architect Richard A. Waite, who also designed the Ontario Legislature building in Toronto, and
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 24, 2024

2. Clock of the Charging Horsemen Marker
built in 1883 for Canada Life Assurance as their head office until 1900 when it relocated to Toronto. The five-storey Gothic building, built with Connecticut brown stone, was made famous by the Birks company and the building made Hamilton famous. The building was sold to jeweler Henry Birks and Sons in 1929 after being severely damaged by fire. Henry Birks and Sons restored the space adding copper roof and the famous Birks Clock. The clock tower, added in 1929, was a highlight of the core. Oscar Wilde called it the most beautiful building he'd seen in the country.

(Submitted on November 27, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Additional keywords. horology

Clock of the Charging Horsemen, 1930 image. Click for full size.

3. Clock of the Charging Horsemen, 1930

At its original location on the Birks Building

Birks Building (originally Canada Life Assurance) 1890s (demolished) image. Click for full size.

4. Birks Building (originally Canada Life Assurance) 1890s (demolished)

Source: Hamilton Public Library (public domain)

1986

5. Ceremony in 1986 of the clock being installed at SW corner King and James, 1986

Marker is visible at the bottom right Hamilton Spectator photo

Clock of the Charging Horsemen in its current location inside the Hamilton Farmers’ Market image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 6, 2024

6. Clock of the Charging Horsemen in its current location inside the Hamilton Farmers’ Market

Here since 2012

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 27, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.