History keeps on ticking in downtown Coeur d'Alene

Jane Clark and her team at Clark’s Diamond Jewelers like to joke that they are the heart of Coeur d’Alene because of what they do. 

Clark’s joins clients in celebrating weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. 

“We form relationships with our customers that last generations,” Jane Clark said Thursday. 

That heart to help people, and a desire to honor the past, was recognized with the presentation of the “Heart of History” award during the Historic Preservation reception at the old Northern Pacific Railway Depot at Third Street and Lakeside. 

The event attended by about 50 people kicked off National Preservation Month.

Clark’s Diamond Jewelers received the award, now in its second year, for its work to preserve the “historic exterior, interior and iconic sidewalk clock of their store at 307 E. Sherman Ave."  

The clock is 101 years old. 

“Thanks to their efforts that store pretty much looks like the way it was over a century ago,” said Mayor Woody McEvers. 

Built in 1905, the building’s interior dates to 1919. The street clock was installed in 1924 and has been cared for and wound once a week by hand for over a century. 

McEvers, reading the plaque given to Jane Clark, said Clark’s has “shown a desire and commitment to preserve the past and have ensured that present and future generations will enjoy our history as well.” 

Caj Matheson of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe said it is important to retain knowledge of the past as it helps people know where they came from, why they are here today and where they are headed.

“Historic preservation really does a great job of guiding all of us together,” he said. 

Generations of the Clark family have maintained the historic building in which the business sits, the century-old display cases and the city’s only historic two-dial advertising street clock.

Jane Clark said when any changes have been made to the store, things have been kept as original as possible.

She recalled stories of how her grandfather touched people’s lives at Clark’s Diamond Jewelers, a tradition she is proud to carry on.

“It's really special for me to be a part of it," she said.

As part of Historic Preservation Month, Memories with Moms Brunch and Tea hosted by the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the historic Hamilton House at Government Way and Foster Avenue. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children under 16 and can be purchased at cdaconservatory.org. 

    Jane Clark smiles as she talks about receiving the Heart of History Award on Thursday.