Where is Charlotte’s landmark clock tower?

I’ve never really thought to connect Charlotte with a landmark clock tower. You know how London has Big Ben, Moscow has the Saviour Tower, Chicago has the Wrigley Building Clock Tower? I wouldn’t say Charlotte has that.

And then I moved with the Observer to the NASCAR Plaza and, from the 12th floor, realized Charlotte does have something: The Madison clock tower (see above).

I’m not sure it fits the historical-symbol status of landmarks like Old Port of Montréal Clock Tower (a nod to the Port of Montréal’s significance in the history of transportation in Canada).

Ashlee Mione, sales manager for Hilton Garden Inn & Hampton Inn Charlotte, told me the clock on the tower holding The Madison condos, sandwiched between the Hilton Garden Inn and the Hampton Inn uptown, was simply built in as decor.

Still, the tower is definitely an eye-catcher.

I’ve been noticing clock towers or standing clocks around the city since then. They all catch the eye in some way. And while they offer some of that old-timey convenience by showing the time (even though our cars and phones and iPads and watches do that), I’m mostly drawn to their charm. They function as these anachronistic, decorative features that can be so easily overlooked or forgotten.

Like this one at Midtown Park, which has actually come in handy for me when I’ve been riding my bike and unable to fumble for my phone.

Someone was even struck enough by the sight of it to take the time to record the clock tower in all its magnificent stillness. You can hear the videographer say, “Well, that’s beautiful, this is here in Charlotte.”

Then there is the standing clock at Kenilworth Commons in Dilworth, with its simple, elegant design and label of “The Commons,” in case you have forgotten where you are. (That can happen when you’re hangrily rushing to Harris Teeter or sugar-high on Duck Donuts, right?)

The clock at Myers Park Center on Providence Road is a tad more majestic. Then again, their Harris Teeter has a wine-and-craft-beer bar.

The standing clock at PNC Bank on the corner of Randolph Road and Colonial Avenue is four-faced. (This location choice just brings up the phrase “time is money.”)

Meanwhile, the clock tower along Elizabeth Avenue on CPCC’s Central Campus actually has significance. Ground was broken in November 2014 to construct this tower, named the Allen Tate Tower to honor a generous contribution from H. Allen Tate Jr., founder and CEO of the Allen Tate Co. This tower was intended to serve as a focal point on the campus.

There’s also this tower on UNC Charlotte’s campus, outside of the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center. (Thanks to @ChrisABates for reminding us of this one.)

So this city has plenty of clocks to catch in passing. But will Charlotte ever get a landmark clock tower? Time will tell.

Did I miss any exquisite clocks? Tweet @Charlotte_Five.

This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM.