Name/Title
Oak Theatre Tork clock, 1911Entry/Object ID
1981.99.2Description
Acc. No. 81.99.2
Subject Category: Theater (Nickelodeons)
Date or period: 1911
Object: Tork clock
Description:
The clock is in a cast iron box with door on hinges. Top of the metal box in form of arch. Interior encloses tork clock made by Ensona Clock Company for the Tork Company of New York. It's serial number is List # 1230. The reverse of door has a panel giving instructions how to operate and there is a holder for supporting a brass key, which activates the clock mechanism. It has three cast screw eyes on each of the three sides which are for mounting it on the wall.
Size: The box is 9¼ inches tall by 5¼ inches wide and 4½ inches in depth.
History of Object: This Tork Clock was used for turning the electric lights on and off in the first nickelodeon in Alameda. It was owned and operated by Mr. Edmund Heritage at 2308 Santa Clara Avenue in 1911.
Acquired Bron: Mrs. Edmund Heritage
Date: September, 1957Interpretative Labels
Label
3/17/2020 MvL: current label:
NICKELODEON SHOP
ARTIFACTS
Edmund Heritage owned and operated
a nickelodeon shop at 2308 Santa Clara Ave.
during the last quarter of the 19th Century.
The following items are from his shop:
+ A Tork Clock used to regulate the
light fixtures in his store. This brand of
clock was a pioneer in automatic timers.
+ A music box used to provide
background music, featuring operatic
works by Bizet, Wagner and Verdi.