Blast from the Past - Clock Cigar Store and Clock History

The old Clock Cigar Store on the east side of of Mackay's Main Street (still standing in 2013) is one of Mackay's oldest landmarks. 

The building built in 1901 first housed the Mackay Miner Telegraph newspaper until 1905 and then the Mackay Miner newspaper until 1917. (Double click to enlarge photo).

After the Mackay Miner newspaper moved to their second location across Main Street and one block up toward the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line Railroad station, the original building was used by a jewelry store owner, Mr. Emanuel Frank (Mackay Miner Feb 1919) who installed the large clock outside the building to bring attention to his business and provide the city with a timepiece. This was at a time, when not everyone owned a pocket or wrist watch and the large clock outside the building helped the Mackay citizens track time. Mr. Frank was pretty sure it was the only clock like it in the state of Idaho and was similar to a clock located on Broadway in New York City, New York.

The clock was 14 feet tall, the lighted dial measured 30 inches in diameter and was adorned with 3 street lamp-type lights. Due to the lighting, the clock was quite eye-catching at night. The Mackay Light and Power Company supplied power for the clock and its lights. The clock was unique in that it had no clocking workings inside the lighted dial. The hands were driven and controlled via wires from a master clock works inside the store.

Mr. Emanuel Frank passed away suddenly in September 1920 (Mackay Miner Sept 22 1920) soon after revealing plans to remodel and expand the building. Emanuel Frank was buried at Mt. McCaleb Cemetery in Mackay, Idaho.

Ownership of the building and the clock throughout the next years is sketchy.  The city of Idaho Falls attempted to buy the clock from the Frank Estate, but bowing to local public pressure, the Mackay city fathers interceded, purchased the timepiece, and vowed to keep it a part of Mackay's Main Street decor.

The former jewelry store was converted to a cigar shop and the signage added by Charles and Hattie Donnelly. With prohibition in place, the shop sported pool and billiard tables along with a good game of poker. With the repeal of prohibition in 1933, the Clock Cigar Shop was one of the first Mackay establishments to offer draft and bottle beer along with a few slot machines.

Charles Donnelly's died suddenly at the age of 51 years of age on 10 July 1940 he was buried at Mt. McCaleb Cemetery.

The Clock Cigar Store became the property of Scott Vaught who brought in Elmer Peterson to manage the business.  Scott Vaught's sister, Marie Vaught Peterson was married to Elmer Peterson. The shop continued to have card playing and drinks along with an outlet for fishing tackle including hand-made fishing flies by Elmer Peterson (1894-1972). 

Inside the Clock Cigar Store with Elmer Peterson, Ace Shindurling behind bar with beer. circa 1940s. From the LShafer Collection

Elmer Peterson died in 1972 and is buried at Mt. McCaleb Cemetery. 

The clock outside remained a fixture on Mackay's Main Street through the early 1940's and was GONE by 1951. However, the exact date of the removal of the clock is unknown.  In the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Mackay for 1 Sept 1942, Mrs. Ralph Larter appeared before the Board and brought up the matter of the Village Board paying for the repair of her car which was damaged by the clock in the front of the Clock Cigar Store when it fell over on her car producing $18.75 damage. 

The location of the clock after its removal from Mackay Main Street is UNKNOWN.

A later owner of the building was Bart Kent. 

In the 1980's Rex Lundberg and Rowsel Ellis rented the space for a carpentry shop.

The building is owned by a man from Las Vegas, Nevada (2013).

Prepared by Earl Lockie and Judy Malkiewicz, South Custer Historical Society, Mackay, Idaho

Remembering - Charles Donnelly - Owner Clock Cigar Store - Obituary July 1940

Mackay Idaho Air Quality Alert from Halstead Fire August 23 2012

The air quality this morning in Mackay, Idaho is BAD from the Halstead Fire above Stanley, now at  94,044 acres and only 5 percent contained. Mackay Main Street at 10:30 AM Aug 23 2012. You can check the air quality at: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov

The closest monitoring stations are in Ketchum and Salmon.

Mackay Main Street. Note the US Flag at Mackay City Hall - almost no wind this afternoon.

 Ken's Banquet Room, Perks, and From the Saddle Gallery on Mackay Main Street, Aug 23 2012.

Mackay Main Street between Custer (Highway 93) and Pine - August 4 2012

Click and double click to enlarge.

Mackay Main Street north side between Pine (on the left) and Custer aka Highway 93 (on the right)

Mackay Main Street south side between Custer aka Highway 93 (on the left) and Pine (on the right)

Blast from the Past - Joe Rukavina and Bud Bruno with Fish on Mackay Main Street 1930

Remembering - Elmer "Pete" Peterson

Blast from the Past - Clock Cigar Store Ad Mackay Miner February 21 1935

Remembering Jennie E. Finley Anderson - Mackay Miner October 23 1958

Jennie E. (Finley) Anderson's Dress Shop was located in the building that still stands today between Shearz and the Spice of Life Bakery/Mountain Gem Gifts. The building first housed a dress and hat shop owned by Edith Brashear (see the building below located next to the building where "Drugs" is painted).

Jennie Anderson's husband, Duke Anderson, was a barber with a small shop in what is now Ken's Club (the present bar area).

Jennie's Dress and Gift Shop Ad Mackay Miner September 23 1954

Blast from the Past - Mackay Main Street with Eagles Building, Bank, Clock Cigar Store, Rexall Drugstore

The pine tree in front of of The Clock Cigar Store was put up each year for Christmas.

Cloudy and cold April 25 2011

Mackay City Hall and Clock Cigar Store on Mackay Main Street April 25 2011

Main Street Views April 8 2011

Main Street from White Knob April 8 2011

Masonic Hall and American Legion, Main Street. Check out the wind with the American Legion Flag April 8 2011

Main Street Building SOLD between Shearz and Spice of Life Bakery/Mountain Gem Gifts

Check out the Mackay City Hall flag over the old Clock Cigar Store April 8 2011

Windy in Mackay Idaho January 31 2011

Mackay City Hall Flag, Clock Cigar Store, Gail McAffee's Shearz

Windy in Mackay June 10 2010

Mackay Main Street with the Mackay City Hall flag.

Mackay City Hall US Flag May 12 2010

The white flag below the US Flag is for Mackay's Tree City designatiion. Side of old Clock Cigar Store on left with From the Saddle Gallery in the distance on Main Street.

No Wind Today in Mackay March 15 2010

Mackay City Hall US Flag with the former Clock Cigar Store on Mackay's Main Street.

Mackay Main Street March 8 2010 3 PM

Flag on the side of Mackay City Hall shows the wind. The old building is the former Clock Cigar Store, now vacant and about to fall down with Shearz on the right.

Mackay Main Street unknown date. Bank and LLL Cafe were razed after 1983 Mt. Borah Earthquake

We do not know the whereabouts of the clock in front of the LLL Cafe today. We do know that the clock was damaged when it fell on a car in September 1942.