Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Meneely Bell
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 16, 2019
1. The Meneely Bell Marker
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, and the Lighthouses series lists. 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. It 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 page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula, on the Straits of Mackinac, and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Village of Mackinaw City Roth Performance Shell Proclamation (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgar Conkling - Modern founder (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); a different marker also named Railroad Ferries (about 500 feet away).
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 16, 2019
2. The Meneely Bell Marker and Bell Tower
Other markers no longer nearby. Edgar Conkling 1812-1881 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); British Colonial Shipbuilding Yard, 1761 - 1781 (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Railroad Ferries (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023
3. Meneely Bell
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 386 times since then and 27 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.
