Fire and Curfew Bell

Another bit of early Pierce history is the old fire and curfew bell which hung on a wooden tower beteween the office and elevator of Framer's Grain for over 40 years. The bell was first used March 4, 1898 and residents were proud of its fine tone.

The wooden tower was dismantled in 1938 when it was found that the frame was not safe to support the 950-pound bell. For a number of years the bell was hung from a beam in the old water standpipe to be used on an emergency basis.

When the old standpipe was sold to Springfield, Nebr., the bell had to be moved and an exact replica of the old wooden tower was built and the bell hangs at the museum complex where its clear tone is frequently heard by museum goers.