Americus in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sumter County Courthouse Bell

1887

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

1. Sumter County Courthouse Bell Marker

Inscription. This solid bronze one half ton bell was found stored at the Sumter County Stockade on McMath’s Mill Road along with a companion bell dated 1860 now mounted on the lawn of the fourth Sumter County Courthouse.

The older bell, originally bought by the Masonic lodge, was placed through public effort in 1867 on the Georgian (second) courthouse on the town square in a tower built for it. The other bell was put into use when the Victorian courthouse was built in 1887. These two bells were part of courthouse clock systems which regulated all life within the sound of their tolling from 1867 to 1960 when the Victorian (third) courthouse was demolished. Sections of Americus even had different numbered tolls to direct firefighters to burning buildings.

The Sumter County Commission gave this bell to the Sumter County Federation of Garden Clubs in 1974 and helped place it at the Founders Memorial Park where it is an American Revolution Bicentennial Memorial project of the fourteen Garden Clubs of Sumter County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Communications • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 32° 4.408′ N, 84° 13.812′ W. Marker is in Americus

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, Georgia, in Sumter County. Marker can be reached from East Forsyth Street (U.S. 280) just west of Winn Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker and bell are located near the south end of Founders Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Americus GA 31709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Founders Memorial Park (a few steps from this marker); The Flood of July 1994 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Hospitals (approx. ¼ mile away); The Prather Clinic (approx. ¼ mile away); The First Presbyterian Church of Americus (approx. ¼ mile away); Speaker Crisp (approx. 0.3 miles away); Americus Colored Hospital (approx. 0.3 miles away); Calvary Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Americus.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

2. Sumter County Courthouse Bell & Marker

(looking south • East Forsyth Street in background)

Sumter County Courthouse Bell Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

3. Sumter County Courthouse Bell Inscription

Vanduzen & Tift • Cincinnati (north side)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021

4. Sumter County Courthouse Bell Inscription

Buckeye Bell Foundry • 1887 (south side)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.