The clock that hung on the First National Bank building is ready to be transported for a restoration project. Allison Ullmann/Raccoon Valley Radio

A clock that has hung on the corner of 2nd Street and Willis for years was removed via crane yesterday in Perry as part of a restoration project.

Kathy Lenz, who is overseeing the restoration efforts with Joelle Miner, says the clock will be stored at the Perry VanKirk Career Academy over the winter while work is completed. 

Lenz has a personal connection to the clock as her son, Aaron, helped lead efforts to remount it onto the First National Bank building in 1999 as part of an Eagle Scout project.

The clock no longer works and Lenz worked with Miner to bring a restoration expert to Perry to give them an estimate on what repairs would cost. That number came in around $30,000.

Fundraising for the restoration work has begun and the project was recently awarded $6,700 through 100+ People for Perry in November. While grants are being written, Lenz says they are looking for support from the community to raise the necessary funds.

“So we’ve got a little ways to go, but with all the community enthusiasm about it, Joelle and I are very optimistic about it being restored fully. We’re hoping yet in 2026, it’ll be finished. We can bring it back, remount it and it’ll shine again.”

For more information on how to donate to the clock restoration project, click the link in this story on our website at raccoonvalleyradio.com. 

Those looking to donate to the clock restoration project can send checks to Hometown Heritage, PO Box 576, Perry, IA, 50220.