This Okemos, Michigan Clock Tower Has A Hidden Purpose

It seems like it's been there longer than it has, although I remember it being there in the mid-90s—it wasn't. The clock tower on Marsh between Central Park and Times Square Drives in Okemos, Michigan, feels like part of the area. I always assumed it was part of the Meridian Mall, which was built around the same time the mall opened in November 1969. I was only off by 24 years.

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The clock is located at 5151 Marsh Road, part of the Merdian Township office campus, which is also home to the Meridian Historical Village (definitely worth a visit).

So, when and why was this monument to time built, and what secret lies within the Meridian Township clock tower?

The Meridian Township Clock Tower is More Than a Time Piece

The clock tower stands 188 feet tall and dwarfs surrounding structures. Why was this structure erected in 2003? Was it a geographic lack of timepieces? Telling the time of day had nothing to do with why the clock was built. You see, this tower has a secret.

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A legion of cables runs to the top of the three support beams that make up the Merdian Township clock tower. This cleverly disguised technology provides you with a service you likely use daily without knowing it.

According to SkyScraperPage.com, DMD Towers of Lansing installed the Merdian Township cellular tower and, somewhat cleverly, disguised it as a clock tower at the behest of residents. This was done to integrate and camouflage better the structure's primary purpose. That hasn't kept the township from having some fun with the tower, though:

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The tower can hold up to eight cell carriers, with two slots reserved for the township's cellular needs. I must give the developers, the township, and the community credit. They turned what could have been an eyesore into what may become a landmark.