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
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 and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. 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. It is on W. 2nd Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp and in the Till Plains. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
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 (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
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 391 times since then and 15 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.
