History of Hudson
Early Hudson History
The history of Hudson actually begins in Connecticut. The colony of Connecticut had, from 1632, laid claim to a 120-mile stretch of Ohio territory, which came to be known as the Connecticut Western Reserve. After an Indian war was won in the region, the Reserve seemed ripe for settlement. On September 2, 1795, Connecticut sold the Reserve to a land syndicate comprised of 35 investors known as the Connecticut Land Company. The sale was concluded for $1,200,000 for the estimated three million acres, or roughly 40 cents per acre.
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History of the Hudson Clock Tower
The Hudson Clock Tower is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks
in Summit County. Its construction is due to one man, James W.
Ellsworth.
James Ellsworth, born in Hudson in 1849, a well-known millionaire who made his money in banking, watched the town he had grown up in, fall into disrepair.
Ellsworth returned to Hudson in 1907 when he retired and found the streets were still dirt, there was no city water, no sewers and the school he had attended was closed. He set out to improve these conditions, including what some consider Ellsworth's greatest gift to the City. In 1912 Ellsworth contracted New York architect Henry Hardenburg to design and build a clock tower. Hardenburg built the 44-foot-9-inch Hudson tower in a traditional Romanesque style.
James Ellsworth, born in Hudson in 1849, a well-known millionaire who made his money in banking, watched the town he had grown up in, fall into disrepair.
Ellsworth returned to Hudson in 1907 when he retired and found the streets were still dirt, there was no city water, no sewers and the school he had attended was closed. He set out to improve these conditions, including what some consider Ellsworth's greatest gift to the City. In 1912 Ellsworth contracted New York architect Henry Hardenburg to design and build a clock tower. Hardenburg built the 44-foot-9-inch Hudson tower in a traditional Romanesque style.
The original clockworks were supplied by the E. Howard Clock Company of Boston. The gravitational pull of 3,000 lbs. of weights powered the clock and Westminster chimes. The town marshal was responsible for climbing inside the tower and winding the weights every few days.
About 20 years ago, the weights were replaced by an electric motor. Originally, fountains were built on the north and west side of the tower, one for humans and one for horses. Today the basins are used as flower pots.
Visit our YouTube Channel for a video tour of the inside of the iconic Hudson Clock Tower.