The design of American wall clocks evolved from the English lantern clock. The
most popular wall clocks have been the "banjo" clocks and schoolhouse clocks of
the 1850 and 1860, which came in many varieties and sizes. The movements were of
excellent quality and they were much used in offices, public buildings and
railroad stations.
A gallery clock was another type of wall clock used in public buildings. The
early ones were ornately gilded and had eight-day, weight driven movements. A
notable example could be seen in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Subsequently,
the case design gradually evolved into a simple round case with a spring-driven
movements.