The tower is named after local businessman Arthur Hopwood who paid for it to be constructed in 1953.

The modern tower has two luminous features, a 'lantern cross' at its top and light-up glass panes at the base.

Originally housed in the city's post office on Main Street, the clock was removed following the 1942 Wairarapa earthquake for safety reasons and placed into storage.

In 1953 local business man Arthur Hopwood, whose family owned a hardware store, paid £10,000 for the council to build a new tower to house the clock.

The tower was demolished and renewed with a stronger structure that matched the old design.