Bellwood in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Bellwood Bell

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 17, 2024

1. First Bellwood Bell Marker

Inscription. To summon the people of Bellwood to worship God and to strive for education
1908
St. John Lutheran Church and School
Placed here in honor of the nation's bicentennial
1976

Erected 1976.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 41° 52.899′ N, 87° 52.333′ W. Marker is in Bellwood, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard east of Eastern Avenue. The marker is on the side of a small structure that holds the bell, in front of Bellwood's fire and police departments. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3200 Washington Boulevard, Bellwood IL 60104, 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. Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Memorial Park (about 300 feet away); Pvt. Albert E. Fenhouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic Lake Street (approx. 1.2 miles away); Kiddieland Amusement Park

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(approx. 1.2 miles away); Casa Jalisco (approx. 1.2 miles away); Conner-Heise Memorial Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cpl. Robert H. Corley and Pfc. Ronnie L. Russell (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellwood.

More about this marker. Another marker about a 1980 time capsule, to be opened in 2000, is on the left side of the structure.

Regarding First Bellwood Bell. St. John Lutheran Church was located at 307 South 27th Avenue, about a mile (by car) northeast of here. The school is believed to have been open from 1908 until 1948.

Also see . . .
1. The History of Bellwood. From the village website

Excerpt: "Consisting primarily of level prairie, the area now known as Bellwood was mainly farmland until the early 1890s when the first two subdivisions were established. The first subdivision attracted a handful of businesses, including several taverns. Tavern owners were the first to push for incorporation in response to dry Maywood’s attempt to annex the subdivision. The village of Bellwood was incorporated on May 21, 1900,
Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 17, 2024

2. First Bellwood Bell Marker
The marker is on the right side of the small structure. Washington Boulevard is in the background.
taking the name of a second early subdivision, Bellewood."

(Submitted on April 17, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Bell Foundries in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

Excerpt: "At least 37 different business enterprises are known to have made, sold or advertised bells in the city of St.Louis at various times during the last two-thirds of the 19th century, with a few of them lasting into the first half of the 20th century."

(Submitted on April 17, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

First Bellwood Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 17, 2024

3. First Bellwood Bell

A close-up of the bell, "cast by Stuckstede & Bro., St. Louis"

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Sean Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.