Marquette in Marquette County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Marquette's Fire Bell

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

1. Marquette's Fire Bell Marker

Inscription.
The Tocsin or Fire Bell has been part of a community since ancient times, warning the inhabitants of danger. The old fire bell was cast in bronze by the Henry McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Maryland in 1882. It was placed in the Spring Street Firehouse in the 1890's and was part of the Gamewell Fire Alarm System. It continued to peal fire warnings until the mid 1950's when it was replaced by the Telephone. The bell was saved when the firehouse was demolished in 1970 and was used by Northern Michigan University to ring football wins beginning in 1984. It was placed at this site in June 1999.

Photo provided by Marquette County Historical Society

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 46° 32.579′ N, 87° 23.478′ W. Marker is in Marquette, Michigan, in Marquette County. It is at the intersection of North Lakeshore Boulevard and East Washington Street, on the right when traveling north on North Lakeshore Boulevard. Marker is located along the walkway, near the Marquette Fire Bell Tower. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marquette MI 49855, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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: Marquette Fire Department (here, next to this marker); First Steam Railroad in Upper Peninsula (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Harbor Ore Dock (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War II "Silent Service" Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Janzen House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lake Superior Art Association (approx. ¼ mile away); Jacques Marquette (approx. ¼ mile away); Marquette County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marquette.

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

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

2. Marquette's Fire Bell Marker

(looking south along Lakeshore Boulevard • Washington Street is on the right)

Marquette's Fire Bell & Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

3. Marquette's Fire Bell & Tower

(located directly behind this marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.