American Fork in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Historic City Hall Bell

Property of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2016

1. The Historic City Hall Bell Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The bell atop this City Hall has a long history in American Fork. It was originally purchased for $211.17 in 1887, and was placed in the tower of the old City Hall at Main and Center Streets. Sorrow, joy, disaster, emergency and other messages were relayed as the bell's long rope was pulled.

The bell was moved when the new City Hall was built in 1903. This was no small task as the bell weighs 1200 pounds.

When City Hall was modernized in 1959, workers found the bell supports were rotting and the belfrey was taken down.

The bell was given to the American Fork camps of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers to be preserved. They placed it on a monument in Robinson Park, a place rich in pioneer memories and close to the relic hall which reflects the culture and life of pioneer American Fork. There it remained for 46 years.

When plans were made to restore City Hall, citizen groups knew the building would not be complete without the original bell. The bell is the property of the American Fork DUP camps and their bylaws do not permit artifacts which have been donated to be returned. After conferring with the International Society

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, it was decided the bell could be relocated. The City and the DUP had the same goals, preserving the bell.

The bell was removed from the park monument and prepared to again be placed atop City Hall on August 16, 2006. A crane lifted the bell first and the new cupola second to once again crown American Fork City Hall.

Erected 2008 by American Fork Historic Commission and Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and the Historic Bells series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 40° 22.65′ N, 111° 47.879′ W. Marker is in American Fork, Utah, in Utah County. Marker can be reached from Church Street north of East Main Street (U.S. 89), on the left when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level, beside the doorway, on the front porch of the American Fork City Hall building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Church Street, American Fork UT 84003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. American Fork City Hall (here, next to this marker); Harrington Elementary School (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of American Fork (within shouting distance of this

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2016

2. The Historic City Hall Bell Marker

(marker just out of sight, behind arch, on right side of entrance)

marker); Veterans Memorial Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Free Public School (about 500 feet away); First Presbyterian Church of American Fork (about 500 feet away); Fort Wall at American Fork (about 700 feet away); First Flour Mill (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in American Fork.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. American Fork City Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.