6ix Secrets: What does it take to keep Toronto’s Old City Hall clock running?

If you walk through downtown Toronto, chances are you’ve heard the Old City Hall clock tower bell strike on the hour.

John Scott is responsible for maintaining this historical gem. He’s a horologist with Scotiabell, who lives and breathes bells and tower clocks.

Scott said the bell, which weighs about 12,000 pounds, was cast in England. He said the piece was brought to Toronto in 1899 and it would have taken workers about four months to install.

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The bell, which Scott described as a “kinetic piece of art,” was required to be up and running by Jan. 1, 1900.

Scott said it’s an on-going effort to keep the clock on time.

“Ideally, with conditions perfect and we have the heaters in the dust room to try and minimize the cold, it should only be (off by) a half a second a month … I like to keep it within one second,” he said.

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The clock bell strikes automatically, but there are only two times a year when the mechanisms are turned off and Scott strikes the bell manually.

Scott goes into the clock tower to ring the bells for the annual Remembrance Day services.

“They want me to disengage any bell ringing 45 minutes before the hour and then on cue, I strike the bell 11 times manually with this clapper,” he said.

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The bell is also disengaged on New Year’s Eve, so it doesn’t interfere with the countdown festivities at Nathan Phillips Square.

Given the age of the bell, Scott said it is still in good shape.

“Considering it’s been 116 years in motion, it’s in excellent condition. I’d say it’s … like an adolescent,” he said.

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“There’s lots of life left in this.”

Meanwhile, the City of Toronto will be holding a public consultation meeting Tuesday evening to get feedback on the future of Old City Hall.

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