
Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On July 30, 1942, Frank Bily Sr. passed away. Father of the far-farmed Bily Brothers (Frank Jr. and Joseph), Frank’s children carved a legacy held in ornate timepieces on display at the Bily Clocks Museum of Spillville.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Frank Sr. moved to America with his wife Mary Prazak. Settling near Spillville, the couple moved to Dakota Territory briefly before returning to the ‘Little Volga’ area of northeastern Iowa. The couple welcomed five children, including Frank Jr. and Joseph, while living in Iowa.

Born on a farm located between Ridgeway and Spillville in northeastern Iowa, the brothers started carving at a young age to pass the long Iowa winters. The Bily Brothers worked as farmers and carpenters. Frank and Joseph gained fame after crafting a clock in 1915-1916, which featured the Twelve Apostles appearing on the hour. Adding “The American Pioneer History Clock” and a memorial clock dedicated to Charles Lindbergh across the 1920s, the brothers gained international recognition for clocks meticulously carved from walnut, butternut, maple, and oak.

Moving the collection in 1946 to a building once occupied by famous Czech composer Antonin Dvorak in Spillville, the brothers considered having the clocks burned upon their death. However, the brothers later decided to donate their collection to the city of Spillville. The resultant agreement dictated the city never sell or move the clocks. Today, visitors can marvel at the incredibly intricate clocks carved by the brothers by visiting the Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar

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