Atkinson Clock Tower

The Atkinson Clock Tower is one of the oldest building in Kota Kinabalu. The building of the clock tower was initiated in 1902 and was completed in 1905. It is within walking distance from the city centre and is located just beside the police station.

It was originally built as a memorial to the first District Officer of Kota Kinabalu, then Jesselton, Mr. Francis George Atkinson who had died in 1902 of "Borneo Fever" (malaria) at the age of 28.

Built with public donations and of merbau timber, the tower has been repaired several times by the city council. It was refurbished in 1959 to celebrate the city's diamond jubilee. It is said that the original clock, a double-face clock was a gift from his mother to Atkinson, was replaced in 1964.

The Clock Tower stands at 157 metres high. The tower once served as a lighthouse as a guide to sailors.

The Sabah Museum took over the care and maintenance of the Clock Tower in 1979 and the site was gazetted as a Government Reserve in August 1983.

The surrounding landscape of the Clock Tower is now in danger as there is a plan to built a multi-storey commercial complex next to it. Let's hope it did not materialize as it will be a shame to see such a historical site been marginalized in the name of development.