One of the last major projects of the Old Red restoration was the clock tower. Having been dismantled in 1919, the Dallas County Courthouse had stood without a clock tower until 2007.
Closely matching types of sandstone and granite were chosen as the original types are no longer quarried. The stones were laid in the same manner as the original – a way of laying stones that is no longer used in modern construction. But, a few very important aspects of the reconstruction of Old Red’s tower were modified in order to alleviate the original problems. First, there is a steel support for the tower that lessens the weight on the walls of the building. Secondly, there are now stainless steel anchors between the stones and the original structure.
The clock tower is back! And the walls are not groaning under its weight.
Great images of the view from the clock tower can be seen on the Old Red website.
Detailed masonry information and image of Old Red at night are from the MasonContractors.org website.
