Historic Colman Clock Returns to Seattle Ferry Terminal

The 118-year-old timepiece is back on display at Colman Dock following an extensive restoration project.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Remote Work

An antique iron clock mounted on a modern steel column inside a spacious, light-filled Seattle ferry terminal lobby. — The historic 1908 Colman Clock has returned to display at the Seattle ferry terminal following a multi-year restoration and facility upgrade. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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After seven years in storage during a major facility rebuild, the historic Colman Clock has been unveiled in the Seattle ferry terminal lobby. The century-old clock was removed from Pier 52 in 2019 to prevent damage during a $467 million construction project.

Why it matters

The restoration ensures the preservation of a timepiece that has been a landmark of the Seattle waterfront since its original 1908 installation. Its return marks the completion of a significant effort to protect local transit history during modern infrastructure upgrades.

The clock project involved a 13-person woodworking team and required seven years of storage at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. This work protects an artifact originally built by the E. Howard Clock Co. that has survived since 1908.

The players

Washington State Ferries

This state agency operates the ferry system serving the Puget Sound and oversaw the restoration and installation process.

Woodway Co. LLC

This private company provided specialized horological expertise to assist with the restoration of the antique clock.

Port of Seattle

The public entity that serves as the owner of the Colman Dock and acquired the historic clock in 1984.

The details

Washington State Ferries staff and horologists from Woodway Co. LLC led the restoration of the 118-year-old timepiece. The team constructed a new welded steel support frame to secure the clock within the updated terminal lobby.

The clock was first installed at Colman Dock in 1908.
The steamship Alameda knocked the clock into Puget Sound in 1912.
The clock was reinstalled following restoration efforts in 1985.
Construction necessitated the removal of the clock in early 2019.
The clock was unveiled in the terminal lobby on October 21, 2026.

Market Landscape

The restoration project mirrors the 1985 Colman Clock restoration as a commitment to maintaining heritage assets within busy public infrastructure. This long-term stewardship positions the terminal as a space that balances modern transportation efficiency with historical identity.

Daily ferry commuters can now view the restored landmark in the terminal lobby, restoring a familiar sight to the Seattle waterfront. The clock's return signals the final phases of accessibility improvements made during the multi-year terminal rebuild.

The takeaway

Preserving historical landmarks requires specialized labor and decades of institutional planning. Maintaining such artifacts can enhance the character of public spaces while managing the demands of modern infrastructure projects.