Lincoln County Courthouse Clock Tower Set for Major Restoration

The Lincoln County Courthouse clock tower is set for another chapter in its long history as crews prepare for an extensive restoration of the historic timepiece.

Construction on the courthouse began in 1899, with the building completed in 1903 after nationwide labor strikes delayed the project. Built with approximately one million bricks, the courthouse rises nearly 200 feet to the top of its flagpole and remains a working courthouse more than 120 years later.

The clock tower has required several repairs over the decades, including adjustments during World War II when the nation observed “Central War Time” under the federal government’s daylight saving plan.

Most recently, the Lincoln County Board accepted a $99,000 grant from the Bierman Family Foundation to restore the clock after it stopped operating. Because the mechanism is unique and cannot be replaced, it will be carefully dismantled and repaired piece by piece.

The restoration is expected to take about eight months, helping preserve one of Merrill’s most recognizable historic landmarks for future generations.