The future of downtown Chattanooga's best known street ornament - the historic Fischer-Evans clock - is in jeopardy.
The clock, dating to 1883, was knocked down when it was hit by a large truck at a time when construction was underway at its Eighth and Market location.
Howard Glover, owner of Fischer-Evans, said the clock was sent off to a Cincinnati firm to have the extensive repairs done. But he said the clock repair firm is now balking on doing the work because the foundation has changed.
Mr. Glover said the clock was formerly anchored on a large boulder. He said that boulder was removed during the recent Market Street work.
The city reanchored the site, but Mr. Glover said the Cincinnati firm is not willing to accept liability in case the clock got knocked over again.
Mr. Glover said, "I had never thought about the clock getting knocked over. I don't have any doubts that the foundation is just fine. But I am not willing to accept the liability for an accident if this company is unwilling to accept liability."
He said, "It's a very, very heavy clock. Someone could have been killed when the clock weighing over 200 pounds was falling from this height."
W.F. Fischer founded the store at Eighth and Market in 1869.
Carter Evans purchased Fischer Brothers in 1956 and changed the name to Fischer-Evans in 1963.
Mr. Glover bought it in 1970.