Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Meneely Bell
The Meneely bell atop this tower helped guide the train ferries Chief Wawatam and Sainte Marie in foggy weather to the New York Central Railroad Dock in Mackinaw City.
The bell, cast in 1890 in Troy, N.Y., was in service until 1952 and weighs 1,500 pounds.
The Conkling Heritage Park Bell Tower, constructed in 2004, was designed as a replica of the fog bell tower at the Little Traverse Point Lighthouse in Harbor Springs, MI. The original bell tower, built in 1896, assisted pleasure boats transporting vacationers in and out of the harbor during foggy weather.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 45° 46.722′ N, 84° 43.504′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker can be reached from South Huron Avenue north of Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker and bell tower are located near the center of Conkling Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 335 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edgar Conkling 1812-1881 (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Fishing (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ice Harvesting (about 300 feet away); Mackinaw City Railroad Dock / USCG Cutter Mackinaw WAGB 83 (about 400 feet away); British Colonial Shipbuilding Yard, 1761 - 1781 (about 400 feet away); Mill Creek (about 400 feet away); Railroad Ferries (about 500 feet away); Auto Ferries (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on January 7, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.