Written on sign next to building:
“The building of the Clock Tower was initiated in 1902 and was completed in 1905. 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 age 28. The clock tower was started on April 19, 1905 while still under construction. Originally built of Mirabau wood, the Clock Tower stands at 157 metres (48 feet) high. Over the years, through repairs and extensive renovations, the original facade has altered significantly. 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.”
