Elmhurst in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Old Elmhurst Fire Bell
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 6, 2024
1. The Old Elmhurst Fire Bell Marker
is here erected as a memorial dedicated in the Illinois sesquicentennial year 1968 to the brave men of the Elmhurst Volunteer Fire Department who served with courage and devotion from the days when fire fighting equipment was crude and horse drawn
On behalf of a grateful community
Erected 1968 by The Elmhurst Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 41° 53.925′ N, 87° 56.337′ W. Marker is in Elmhurst, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Park Avenue west of Robert T. Palmer Drive. The bell and its marker is on the property of the Elmhurst History Museum, near the parking lot to the building's southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elmhurst National Bank Parapets (a few steps from this marker); "Big Rock" (a few steps from this marker); Elmhurst Municipal Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ruth Strand (within shouting distance of this marker); Galena & Chicago Union R.R. (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carl F. Kranz and Elmhurst College (about 700 feet away); The York Theatre (approx. 0.2
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 6, 2024
2. The Old Elmhurst Fire Bell
Regarding The Old Elmhurst Fire Bell. A 1986 article in the Elmhurst Press offers a bit of background on the fire bell in the years before it was moved to the Elmhurst History Museum. According to the article, which reprinted a history of the bell by a photo contest winner named Ray Steben, the bell was forged in 1893 by McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Md. It was placed atop a wooden tower that was constructed about 800 feet north of this location, next to the old fire station.
Also see . . . McShane Bell Foundry History. A history of the McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore, which cast the old Elmhurst fire bell in 1893. (Submitted on September 7, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 6, 2024
3. Elmhurst History Museum
The bell is in the background on the left, partially obscured by the trees, near that rear entrance into the Elmhurst History Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
