Founding and Early Years (1885 – 1903)

Herschede’s clock story begins in 1885, when Cincinnati jeweler Frank Herschede started selling tall case and hall clocks in his shop. Early on, he imported movements and paired them with locally produced cases. As popularity grew, Herschede expanded operations, purchasing the cabinet shop that made many of his cases by 1900. On December 29, 1902, the clock business was officially incorporated as the Herschede Hall Clock Company. In 1903, the factory moved from Front Street to 1011–1015 Plum Street in Cincinnati, laying the groundwork for large-scale production and future innovations. 

Recognition, Chimes, and Melodies (1904 – 1922)

In 1904, Herschede earned major acclaim at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis with gold medals for best hall clock and best cases and a silver medal for tubular chimes, a sound that would define its reputation. By 1909, production had expanded to include in-house movement manufacturing. In 1913, the company introduced a third melody, the “Canterbury Chimes,” joining Westminster and Whittington. Frank Herschede continued to lead the company until his death on September 15, 1922, at age 65 following surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; his son Walter Herschede then assumed the presidency. 

Revere Electric Clocks and Expansion (1923 – 1945)

Under Walter’s leadership, Herschede continued to innovate. In 1925–26, the Revere Clock Company division was created to produce electric clocks, expanding the brand’s reach into electrically-powered timepieces. By the late 1920s, Herschede employed about 300 workers and reached all-time high sales just before the Great Depression. Branch sales offices were opened in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco by the early 1920s, reflecting a national footprint. 

War Years, Parking Meters, and Postwar Era (1930s – 1960)

The economic turmoil of the 1930s saw Herschede diversify — including manufacturing parking meters and inexpensive electric clocks to meet changing demand; during World War II, clockmaking was exchanged for military contracts producing observation instruments and optical components. After the war, consumer clock demand rebounded and a Clock Service Center was established in 1948 to support owners with maintenance and repairs. 

Relocation, Merger, and Final Years (1960 – 1984)

In 1959–60, Herschede moved its operations to Starkville, Mississippi, where it continued producing clock movements, cases, and some imported mechanisms. Financial pressures led to a sale in 1967, followed by a 1973 merger with Howard Furniture and Briarwood Lamps to form Arnold Industries, Inc. In 1983, plans were announced to shift the company’s focus away from complete clock manufacturing toward supplying tubular bell movements. The final three clocks — including the rare Model 250 “The Clock” — were shipped in 1984, marking the end of an almost century-long era of Herschede clock production. 

Legacy and Collectibility

Today, Herschede clocks — especially tall case, tubular bell, and early Revere electric models — are prized for their distinctive melodies, fine craftsmanship, and historical significance in American horology. 

Whether your Herschede clock is a cherished family treasure or a sought-after collectible, these timepieces embody a rich American clockmaking heritage. If your Herschede clock needs professional care or restoration, Clock Repair Studio offers expert service tailored to classic mechanical and electric movements — Call (267) 544-0439 or use the button below to schedule an appointment to bring your clock into our studio.