The Morgan Square Clock Tower is a historical landmark that has stood in downtown Spartanburg since 1979 and in Morgan Square since 1989. However, what makes the tower historical is the clock and bell. They were originally installed in 1881 at the Spartanburg Opera House, which at the time functioned as City Hall. When that building was demolished, they were sent to the Spartanburg County Courthouse until its demolition in 1958. The clock mechanism spent 21 years in storage before city leaders decided to work with the Spartanburg Bicentennial Committee to refurbish the clock and build a tower to house it. They decided to put the tower near the intersection of Liberty and East Main Street by Denny’s headquarters but determined in 1989 that Morgan Square should be its home.

New redevelopment plans have emerged, and city officials argued that the tower was impeding progress. On Sept. 29, the Spartanburg City Council held a vote to decide on the future of the clock tower. The 4-2 vote determined that the clock tower would be removed from Morgan Square.

However, a lawsuit was filed in response to the decision by a group called “Support the Spartanburg Clock Tower.” In the lawsuit, they are hoping for the court to issue an order that prohibits the city council from removing the clock tower. According to foxcarolina.com, the lawsuit states that the Spartanburg City Council does not have the “power to remove, damage, relocate, deconstruct or otherwise diminish a historically protected monument or memorial.” City council “elected to ignore public comment and concern as well as the established protections under the Heritage Act.” This is a law that protects monuments and memorials connected to specific parts of history.

Hayden Brewington (12) frequently visits downtown and believes this project could be beneficial to Spartanburg.

“I have listened to debates in my family discussing whether the clock tower should be moved or not. I think it will be positive for Spartanburg to move it because it will make the roads in our downtown area safer, which I feel is absolutely needed,” Brewington said.

On Oct. 8, 2025, an agreement was reached to settle the clock tower’s future. The tower will be removed from Morgan Square, saving the clock, bell mechanism, plaque, tower’s peak and several engraved bricks.

Kinberly Branch is the leader of “Support the Spartanburg Clock Tower” and told wspa.com:

“Today was a huge victory for all Spartans past, present and future,” Branch said. “Our goal was to save, protect and preserve the clock tower for generations to come. I’m delighted to say we were able to save the clock tower today.”

The development plans are a part of Project Core, a multi-faceted development led by the Johnson Group. They are investing 300 million dollars, making Project Core the largest development project in Spartanburg’s history. This will include offices, apartments, streetscaping and the new hotel. In order to accommodate the new hotel, the city is straightening West Main Street and taking out the island where the clock tower stands. The goal is to create a pedestrian-friendly area for festivals, events and dining downtown.

Kamaya Free-Foster (12) believes the development plans will be positive for Spartanburg in the long run.

“I think the new development plans will be beneficial to the town because it will bring revenue to Spartanburg,” Free-Foster said.