Colgate Clock | Jersey City

Information

Landmark: Colgate Clock
City: Jersey City
Country: USA New Jersey
Continent: North America

Colgate Clock, Jersey City, USA New Jersey, North America

The Colgate Clock is a large clock face located on the Jersey City waterfront in New Jersey, USA. It is situated on the former Colgate-Palmolive factory site.

Visual Characteristics

The clock face measures 50 feet (15 meters) in diameter. It is constructed from steel and painted white with black numerals and hands. The clock is illuminated at night.

Location & Access Logistics

The Colgate Clock is located at 101 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. It is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the Liberty State Park entrance. Access is via Hudson Street. Limited street parking is available in the vicinity. The closest PATH train station is Exchange Place, which is approximately a 15-minute walk north. Bus routes 81 and 86 stop near the intersection of Hudson Street and Steuben Street.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The clock was originally installed in 1924 as a gift from the Colgate Company to its employees. It was intended to be a prominent landmark visible from Manhattan. The clock was manufactured by the Seth Thomas Clock Company.

Key Highlights & Activities

Viewing the clock from the waterfront promenade. Photography of the clock, particularly with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. Observing the clock's mechanism from the exterior.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no dedicated facilities at the clock itself. Public restrooms are available within Liberty State Park (approximately 1 mile north). Shade is minimal in the immediate vicinity. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally strong. Food vendors are not present at the clock site but are available in the nearby Exchange Place area and within Liberty State Park.

Best Time to Visit

For photography, late afternoon offers favorable lighting conditions with the sun positioned to the west. Evening visits provide views of the illuminated clock. The clock operates year-round.

Facts & Legends

The clock was originally powered by a complex internal mechanism. It was once the largest four-faced clock in the world. A local anecdote suggests that the clock's hands were once stopped to commemorate a significant event, though this is unverified.