Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Market House Bell
By Tom Bosse, September 28, 2016
1. Market House Bell Marker
Market House Bell. . This bronze bell hung in the tower of City Hall, on the north end of Market Square, beginning in the 1880s. Rung by the police chief, the bell signaled civic emergencies such as major fires and riots, via a number-based code. An effective means of community alerts in the days before radio, it could reportedly be heard in every corner of the city.
The bell was purchased by the city from McShane & Co. of Baltimore in 1883. At 25 cents per pound, and weighing more than 2,500 pounds, it cost $640.50. A new belfry had to be built to hold the bell, and lighting rods were added. When the new City Hall building was constructed in 1888, the bell was moved there.
After it was removed from City Hall in the 1930s, the bell enjoyed a second life at the Burlington Fire Station in East Knoxville, where firemen struck it with a hammer to signal blackout drills during World War II. In the 1980s, the bell returned to Market Square, where it hung for a time in another market pavilion. It was refurbished in 2005 by McShane, the same Baltimore company that manufactured it.
The bell was purchased by the city from McShane & Co. of Baltimore in 1883. At 25 cents per pound, and weighing more than 2,500 pounds, it cost $640.50. A new belfry had to be built to hold the bell, and lighting rods were added. When the new City Hall building was constructed in 1888, the bell was moved there.
After it was removed from City Hall in the 1930s, the bell enjoyed a second life at the Burlington Fire Station in East Knoxville, where firemen struck it with a hammer to signal blackout drills during World War II. In the 1980s, the bell returned to Market Square, where it hung for a time in another market pavilion. It was refurbished in 2005 by McShane, the same Baltimore company that manufactured it.
Location. 35° 57.883′ N, 83° 55.15′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. Marker is at the intersection of Union Ave. and Market Street, on the left when traveling east on Union
By Tom Bosse, September 28, 2016
2. Market House Bell Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Knoxville's Market House (here, next to this marker); Krutch Park (here, next to this marker); Knoxville's Old Custom House / Fiddlin' Bob Taylor (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gay Street (about 400 feet away); Tennessee Ernie Ford (about 400 feet away); Elvis Presley (about 500 feet away); St. James Hotel (about 500 feet away); The Everly Brothers (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.
Categories. • Man-Made Features •
By Tom Bosse, September 28, 2016
3. Market House Bell Inscription
McShane Bell Foundry.
Henry McShane & Co.
Baltimore, MD.
1883.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2018. This page originally submitted on October 9, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 169 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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