Northeast Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
1890 Seattle Fire Department Bell
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, January 22, 2010
1. 1890 Seattle Fire Department Bell Marker
This bell is the remaining symbol of the leap made by city leaders to establish and equip a professional firefighting force after the Great Seattle Fire of June 6, 1889. On that day, the young metropolis of Seattle was devastated by flames in spite of the efforts of its heroic volunteer firefighters.
Purchased in 1890 from the Gardiner C. Campbell & Sons Centennial Bell and Iron Works in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the 5,000 pound bell hung above Seattle's first professional fire station at Seventh Avenue and Columbia Street downtown. Campbell & Sons made similar bells for communities around the United States.
Electronic communications soon made the bell obsolete, and it was taken down in 1919. The fire station lasted until the early 1960s when it was demolished to make way for Interstate 5. The bell came to MOHAI in time for the museum's grand opening in 1952, and was rededicated June 6, 2002.
Erected 2002 by Seattle Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI). (Marker Number 1919.551.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1820.
Location. 47° 38.733′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Shell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seattle Yacht Club - Main Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Turn of the Century Anchor (approx. 0.4 miles away); Naval Training Station Seattle (approx. half a mile away); Honoring the 11 Mercer Girls (approx. Ύ mile away); Scion of the Washington Elm (approx. 0.8 miles away); George Washington (approx. 0.9 miles away); Medal of Honor Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Statue of Washington (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Video - - "The Great Seattle Fire" - - (Winner - National History Day 2007) -- Courtesy:: YouTube. (Submitted on April 9, 2013, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, January 22, 2010
2. 1890 Seattle Fire Department Bell and Marker
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, January 22, 2010
3. 1890 Seattle Fire Department Bell
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. This page has been viewed 2,355 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 4, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
