May Pen Clock Tower

The May Pen Clock Tower is located in May Pen, the capital town of Clarendon. It is situated in the heart of the town and is intersected by Sevens Road and Main Street.

Originally known as the Bell Memorial Tower, it was erected in 1908 to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Robert Glaister Samuel Bell, District Medical Officer for the Four Paths District of Clarendon. Dr. Bell served the parish for over 20 years and died tragically on the night of Thursday, May 12, 1904.

It was reported that after visiting a patient at Lucky Valley, Dr. Bell was returning home, but whilst attempting to cross the Fording at Sevens Estate in the parish, he, his coachman, Isaac Johnson, horses and buggy were washed away. A Bell Memorial Committee was formed to decide on a fitting tribute to Dr. Bell. This resulted in the erection of a clock tower at May Pen.

The Clock Tower is of rubble masonry and was designed by Mr. Scharschmidt, whilst the Clock was acquired by J. W. Benson Ltd. of London. It stands approximately 24ft high.

The structure also pays tribute to soldiers who died during World War I. In 1921, the Parochial Board of Clarendon granted permission for a War Memorial Tablet to be installed at the Clock Tower. The brass tablet can be seen on the southwest side of the Tower.

The Clock Tower was declared as a National Monument by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust on the 15th of March 2001.