Pioneer Square in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Earl Layman Street Clock

Photographed By Rob Ketcherside, May 1, 2017

1. Earl Layman Street Clock Marker

Inscription. Originally the Young's Credit Jewelers Clock c. 1907 located at 4th and Pike. Donated to Historic Seattle by the Dean Black family. Placed here in dedication to Earl Drais Layman City of Seattle Historic Preservation Officer 1974 - 1982, in appreciation for his tireless efforts on behalf of Pioneer Square. Donors Allied Arts, Ralph D. Anderson, Allen F. Black, Barbara Buck Block Foundation, Kay Bullitt, Marvin Burke, Peggy Corley, Shirley Courtois, Ted Hoppin, Louise Dewey, Roberta Deering, Theodore Lane, Gary Gaffner, Ben Masin, Pioneer Square Association, Harriet Sherburne, Grant Jones, Bill Valley, Richard H. White, Earl Seaman, T. D. Simson, Olson-Walker [Architects]

Erected 1984 by Historic Seattle.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.

Location. 47° 35.994′ N, 122° 20.04′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Pioneer Square. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Avenue South and South Main Street, on the right when traveling north on 1st Avenue South. It's just south of the southeast corner of the intersection of First Avenue South and South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seattle WA 98104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Grand Central Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Square Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Information Booth (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith and Squire Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Smaller Fort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Salvation Army Site (about 400 feet away); Maynard Building (about 500 feet away); UPS - Celebrating 100 years of Service (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

More about this marker. The plaque is located on the north side of the base of the street clock. The street clock is on the sidewalk edge in front of the west face of the Globe Building.

Regarding Earl Layman Street Clock. The street clock was actually installed by Young's Credit Jewelry in 1922 at 1213 3rd Avenue, Seattle.

It was manufactured for them by Seattle's clockmaker Joseph Mayer. The internal clock works were manufactured by E. Howard & Company.

In 1928 Young's moved the clock with their store to 1433 4th Avenue. It was there until 1967. For the last 5 years or so it was owned by the Dean Black family, who drove downtown from their home in the Ravenna neighborhood

Earl Layman Street Clock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rob Ketcherside, June 12, 2010

2. Earl Layman Street Clock

to wind the clock.

In 1967 the Blacks moved the clock to their home at 5746 17th Ave NE. It was still there in 1980 when Earl Layman and his staff completed a thematic landmark designation for all of the nine historic street clocks still on Seattle's streets. This clock was not included because it was in the Blacks' back yard.

Historic Seattle acquired the clock from the Blacks and had it restored by Jerry Martin. It was installed here in 1984, with the plaque embedded.

Like the F. X. McRory clock (reinstalled from private hands in 1989) it is covered as part of the Pioneer Square Historic District but is not one of the nine landmarked clocks.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2017, by Rob Ketcherside of Seattle, Washington. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2017, by Rob Ketcherside of Seattle, Washington. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.