Defiance in Defiance County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Courthouse Clocktower Bell

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 9, 2018

1. Courthouse Clocktower Bell Marker

Inscription. This bell was cast for the courthouse clocktower in 1873.
The metal for the bell was obtained by breaking up an old brass cannon found sitting at a foundry in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The old field piece was made in Strassburg, Germany and dated 1502, it had been used in the Napoleonic wars seeing service in Italy, Egypt, Spain, Austria and Germany and had been dragged over the alps on its way to Moscow.
The cannon was returned to France then to the United States by the old soldier who had used it in all the Napoleonic Wars.
Adam Wilhelm, county commissioner obtained the bell, having witnessed the breaking up of the old cannon.

Plaque donated by the Defiance Tourism Bureau, 1996

Erected 1996 by Defiance Tourism Bureau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 41° 17.203′ N, 84° 21.698′ W. Marker is in Defiance, Ohio, in Defiance County. Marker is on W. 2nd Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Defiance OH 43512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Defiance County Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Defiance County War Memorial Flame (a few steps from this marker); War Savings Stamps

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

(a few steps from this marker); Navy Armed Guard and Merchant Marine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); VFW Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 1913 Flood (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Defiance.

Photographed By Craig Doda, June 9, 2018

2. Courthouse Clocktower Bell Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, January 20, 2021

3. Courthouse Clocktower Bell Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, January 20, 2021

4. Courthouse Clocktower Bell Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, January 20, 2021

5. Courthouse Clocktower Bell Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 17, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.