Los Gatos in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Historic Fire Bell
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 18, 2022
1. Historic Fire Bell Marker
In 1899 this fire bell was cast in bronze in San Francisco by W.T. Garrett Company and weighs 2500 pounds. It was originally installed atop a 60 foot wooden tower which ironically burned down in the Great Fire of 1901. It was then reinstalled atop a steel tower in Lundy Lane. Deactivated in 1949, it was replaced by a fire alarm system with nine alarm boxes. The fire bell and tower were unceremoniously sold to advertise a chicken restaurant on Highway 99 in Lodi.
In 1986, Andy Kinyon, a resident of Los Gatos, discovered the fire bell and donated it back to the town. It was restored by former mayor John Lochner and architect John Spaur on a 26 foot steel tower in the town plaza. On July 4, 1987, at the centennial celebration of Los Gatos, the historic fire bell rang once again. It remained in the town plaza until 2002, when it was relocated to the museum on Tait Avenue. The restored bell has been returned to this place of honor at the civic center and will now ring to celebrate the veterans and first responders who have given so much for our peace and freedom.
Erected by City of Los Gatos.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications
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Location. 37° 13.256′ N, 121° 58.754′ W. Marker is in Los Gatos, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker is on East Main Street near Pageant Way, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Gatos CA 95030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Flame of Liberty Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 911 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Forbes Flour Mill (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Collord's Peak (about 600 feet away); "The Cats" (approx. 0.7 miles away); Schmitt-Nickson Homestead (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lexington Dam (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Teddy Roosevelt Tree (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Gatos.
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 18, 2022
2. Historic Fire Bell, Side One
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 18, 2022
3. Historic Fire Bell, Side Two
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 18, 2022
4. Casting
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
