Ankeny in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
"The Bell"
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
1. "The Bell" Marker
This Bell was originally found in this location atop "Old Central" built in 1909, which was located where the Ankeny Area Historical Museums are now located. That school was destroyed in the tornado of 1974. The Bell had been placed in front Ankeny High School (now Parkview Middle School) in 1971. V.W. Smith (Class of 1929) chaired the Ankeny Alumni Association committee to fund the move and placement in that location.
In 2020-21, due to widening of W 1st Street, the Ankeny Community School District asked the Ankeny Area Historical Society to place the bell on its original location where the museum now stands. The bell was placed back in May, 2021.
Welcome home!
Erected by Ankena Area Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 2021.
Location. 41° 43.755′ N, 93° 36.218′ W. Marker is in Ankeny, Iowa, in Polk County. It can be reached from Southwest 3rd Street west of Southwest School Street. Touch for map. Marker is at
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Des Moines. 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Why a Barn Style Museum? (a few steps from this marker); Marts/Neveln/McCleary House (a few steps from this marker); Town Square (approx. 6.4 miles away); Big Creek Schoolhouse (approx. 6.4 miles away); Polk County Freedom Rock (approx. 7.1 miles away); Ida B. Wise Smith (approx. 8.1 miles away); Paint It Black (approx. 9.2 miles away); Laos (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ankeny.
Also see . . . Ankeny Area Historical Society. (Submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
2. "The Bell" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
