7. Sidewalk Clocks
There’s not just one, but seven landmarked sidewalk clocks in New York City. Popular in the late 19th century and often used as advertising, many street clocks have been lost to automobile accidents and sidewalk ordinances. Four of New York City’s landmarked sidewalk clocks are in Manhattan – at 200 Fifth Avenue near the Flatiron Building (in front of the former Toy Center), in front of the Sherry Netherland Hotel at 783 Fifth Avenue, at 1501 Third Avenue, and at 522 Fifth Avenue.
Two of the landmarked clocks are in Queens, one at 16-11 Jamaica Avenue, thought to have been installed by Busch’s Jewelers, and a Wagners Jewelers Clock at 30-78 Steinway Street. There is also one in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Bomelsteins Jewelers clock at 753 Manhattan Avenue. All of the clocks were designated in August 1981.