Courtesy Photo The recently repaired clock at the top of the Alpena County Courthouse shines bright on Monday night. The courthouse celebrates its 90th birthday on Monday.

ALPENA — The nearly century-old clock at the top of the Alpena County Courthouse has been repaired in time for the courthouse’s 90th birthday on Monday.

The clock has been broken for many years but was recently repaired, updated, and keeping perfect time now, County Administrator Jesse Osmer said.

The old clock was fixed with parts that were tucked away in storage and didn’t cost the county any money, Osmer said.

Osmer said when he was hired earlier this year, he wanted the clock on the Art Deco-styled building fixed if it could be done affordably. He asked maintenance employee Nate Spicer to inspect the clock to see what needed to be done. Spicer said the clock’s motor had burned out, the gears needed realigning, and it needed some minor electrical work, but it was a job he was able to complete.

Spicer found a substitute motor in storage, grabbed more powerful light bulbs, and installed them. He said he cleaned the clock thoroughly and now people will be able to admire it at any point during the day and night.

“The clock is pretty much original, but just needed a little care,” he said. “I wanted to go with the bigger bulbs to make it as bright as possible so people can enjoy it at night. Right now, everything is operating well.”

Osmer said the courthouse in Alpena remains a pillar of architectural and industrial might in Northeast Michigan. He said although someday there will need to be some work done to the old building, right now its integrity is sound and is a marvel for people who have never seen it, inside or out.

“We actually just had a representative from the Michigan Association of Counties here about a month ago and when he walked in he was amazed,” Osmer said. “I think the courthouse is kind of like Lake Huron, we kind of take it for granted. I just think sometimes we take for granted that we have this beautiful building in our community.”

Osmer said there aren’t any large plans for the 90th anniversary of the opening of the courthouse. He said he would likely purchase a large cake for the foyer for staff and residents to enjoy. He said people are welcome to drop in and stroll through the courthouse and learn more about it.

“Obviously we always encourage the public to stop in because this is their building,” Osmer said. “People should stop in and they should enjoy it. We have a lot of plaques and a lot of history on display for people to enjoy.”

Osmer said although it is still a decade away, he hopes the county will have a large celebration for the 100th anniversary in 2034.

The current courthouse opened Oct. 21, 1934. The building was designed by architect William H. Kuni of Detroit and built by the Henry C. Webber Construction Co. of locally produced poured Portland cement made from locally quarried limestone.

The building was paid for with local bonds and grants from the Works Progress Administration.

The current courthouse was the third constructed in Alpena.

The first courthouse was located where the Centennial Building sits today. That building was destroyed by a fire on Dec. 12, 1870, and a replacement was built in 1881 where the current courthouse stands now. That structure also was destroyed by fire on Nov. 22, 1932, which led to the current county building being built.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.