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

The Old Bell

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 20, 2022

1. The Old Bell Marker

Inscription.
Cast in Cincinnati about 1840, this bell was brought to Lima by way of the Miami Erie Canal and horse drawn wagon, and placed in Allen County's 1842 Courthouse. It rang the hour, announced births and deaths, called citizens to church and town meetings, alerted volunteer firemen, and celebrated national holidays. During the 1876 Centennial of The American Revolution, an extra burst of zeal seriously damaged the bell after which it narrowly escaped the scrap heap. Placed here in 1992 to honor The Sesquicentennial of Lima's Charter it is displayed to remind its citizens of what originally brought them together.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications • Government & Politics • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 40° 44.57′ N, 84° 6.317′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of North Street (Ohio Route 81) and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on North Street. Marker and bell are near the flagpole at the southeast corner of the Allen County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lima OH 45802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s 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

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within walking distance of this marker: Allen County, Ohio (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Old Bell (a few steps from this marker); The Met Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Allen County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohio Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohio's First Electric Street Car Line (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

The Old Bell and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009

2. The Old Bell and Marker

The Old Bell and Marker are near the flagpole and cannon. This view is looking west along North Street with the Allen County Courthouse in right background.

The Old Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009

3. The Old Bell

Damage evident of left side of bell.

This is the result of an "extra burst of zeal." image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Grant & Mary Ann Fish, September 25, 2021

4. This is the result of an "extra burst of zeal."

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,906 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on October 4, 2021, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio.