[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SPURGEON CLOCK COMES TO LIFE

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 1996

  Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the rededication 
of the Spurgeon Clock which will be held in downtown Santa Ana on May 
16, 1996. As Californians, we have precious few pieces of architecture 
that predate the start of World War I. The Spurgeon Clock is one of 
those prized remnants of our past that once overlooked the vast orange 
groves of Orange County.
  William H. Spurgeon, the founder of Santa Ana, had built a series of 
buildings downtown. The last building erected was graced with a bell 
tower and an exquisite turn-of-the-century clock. Sometime during the 
1970's the 3-foot-long hands on the Spurgeon Clock stopped working.
  After all these decades of neglect and decay, the sheer determination 
of many volunteers and organizations ensured the restoration of the 
Spurgeon Clock. Through very successful fundraising efforts and the 
enlisting of volunteer help from clock and construction professionals, 
this monumental task was completed. The replacement motor to the clock 
was purchased from the original company, the Electric Time Co., of 
Medfield, MA. The electrical system was replaced and upgraded by a 
local craftsman, and a musical carillon was obtained from the South 
Coast Plaza and installed in the clock. So now the people of Santa Ana 
will be able to hear the chime and beauty of this historical town 
clock.
  On behalf of the citizens of Santa Ana and of Orange County, I 
sincerely wish to thank all of the citizens who volunteered their time 
and expertise. I especially want to thank Tim Rush, who organized the 
fundraising requirements of this renovation project, Don Krotee of the 
Downtown Santa Ana Business Association [DSABA], Dick Pridharn of the 
National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors [NAWCC], Bob 
Patterson of Patterson & Associates, Raul Gonzales and the Ray Wilson 
Co., and Dave Morton of Morrow Meadows Electrical.
  I would also like to thank the efforts of the following companies and 
organizations who were very involved in the restoration efforts: First 
American Title and Trust Co.; Waste Management of Orange County; Santa 
Ana's Fireman's Benevolent Association; Chapter 69 of NAWCC; Santa Ana 
Host Rotary Club; Downtown Santa Ana Business Association; the 
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the Ray Wilson Co.; 
Perrini Building Co.; Orange County Wholesale Electric; Hubbell 
Lighting Co.; Brown Colonial Mortuary; Andres and Andres; the Wilshire 
Square, Washington Square, French Park, and West Floral Park 
Neighborhood associations; and C.J. Segerstrom & Sons.
  Finally, we all owe thanks to Ann Berkery, a local artist who has 
donated her rendition of the Spurgeon Tower as a lithograph, which is 
given to those who made a generous contribution.

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