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

The Old Bell

Roots & Beginnings • Lima, OH

— Lima's Local History Hunt —

The Old Bell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

1. The Old Bell Marker

Inscription. Before cell phone notifications and social media, town citizens were alerted to important events in the community by the ringing of a bell. Using various tone and patterns, the bell would announce several important events and was used to signify time before the common use of wrist watches during World War I. Today, the bell is not used in the same context but is placed at the courthouse to signify what originally always brought the community together.

Erected 2026 by America 250-Ohio Commission. (Marker Number 3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission, and the Historic Bells series lists.

Location. 40° 44.565′ N, 84° 6.317′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of West North Street (Ohio Route 81) and North Main Street, on the right when traveling west on West North Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117-101 OH-309, Lima OH 45801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Old Bell (a few steps from this marker); Allen County, Ohio (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); Faurot Opera House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

Also see . . . Lima's Local History Hunt. (Submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

2. The Old Bell Marker

The Old Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 24, 2026

3. The Old Bell

America 250-Ohio Commission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by America 250-Ohio Commission

4. America 250-Ohio Commission

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.