Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Farley Clock Tower
Old Lauderdale County Courthouse Clock, 1901-1965
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, April 11, 2026
1. The Farley Clock Tower Marker
The clock was discarded when the Lauderdale County Courthouse was torn down in 1963, and was taken to Belgreen, Alabama, 45 miles South of Florence.
The clock rested and rusted under an oak tree until 1986, when it was found by Douglas Farley. He worked seven years restoring and developing the electric rewind system. Douglas Farley and his wife, Wanda, donated it to the Underwood-Petersville Community Center in 1993.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Landmarks.
Location. 34° 52.405′ N, 87° 41.406′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on Kendall Road (County Road 7) east of Stony Point Road (County Road 24), on the right when traveling west. The marker is located on the Underwood Petersville Community Center, and the clock itself is inside. It is enclosed with a glass covering to protect it. The bell tower can be seen above the roof. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 840 Co Rd 7, Florence AL 35633, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama and in the Shoals. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John Coffee: 1772-1833 (approx. 2.2 miles away); Hickory Hill Plantation Slave Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away); General John Coffee (approx. 2.2 miles away); Larimore Home
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Also see . . . Douglas F. Farley. After retirement he began his second career as a clocksmith. He was known far and wide as the "clock man." Doug restored the Lauderdale County Courthouse tower clock, which was his pride and joy. This historical timepiece now resides in the Farley Clock Tower in the Petersville Community Center. Having made a valuable contribution in the field of Horology he was appointed a Fellow of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc. (Submitted on April 11, 2026, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, April 11, 2026
2. The Farley Clock Tower Marker
The Farley Clock is inside the Underwood Petersville Community Center.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, April 11, 2026
3. The Farley Clock Tower Marker
Clock Tower atop the Underwood Petersville Community Center
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2026, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2026, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
