Near West Mineral in Cherokee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fire Bell
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 11, 2010
1. Fire Bell Marker
This was the first fire bell used in West Mineral, Kansas in the early 1900's.
Donated by City of West Mineral
Erected by Big Brutus, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list.
Location. 37° 16.418′ N, 94° 56.391′ W. Marker is near West Mineral, Kansas, in Cherokee County. It can be reached from Northwest 60th Street. Marker is on the grounds of Big Brutus, Inc. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6509 NW 60th Street, West Mineral KS 66782, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Miner's Memorial (here, next to this marker); 40 Cubic Yard Dipper (a few steps from this marker); West Mineral War Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Star Cemetery / Borland Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); 1932 Plymouth 0-6-0 Switch Engine (approx. 4 miles away); Southern Pacific Bay Window Caboose (approx. 4 miles away); Missouri Pacific Wooden Frame Depot (approx. 4 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Mineral.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. West Mineral Fire Department. (Submitted on January 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Big Brutus. (Submitted on January 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Additional commentary.
1. Additional information
The visible fittings of this nicely restored bell are all original. Unlike church and school bells, it was not hung to swing; instead, two ropes (which ran over the pulleys on the crossbars of the supports) were used to pull the clapper from side to side as rapidly as possible, producing a truly alarming sound.
— Submitted August 18, 2020, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 11, 2010
2. Fire Bell and Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 11, 2010
3. Fire Bell
Looking east along walkway to Big Brutus, at background right
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 699 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
