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Port Townsend Historical Sites

History > Historic Landmarks

Name: Fire Bell Tower
Year Built: 1890
Location: Jefferson and Tyler Streets
Area: Uptown Port Townsend

The Bell Tower was for calling volunteer fireman and is the last remaining wooden tower of its kind in the U.S. The 75-ft. wooden tower was originally built in 1890 to hold a 1,500 lb. bronze bell. An elaborate mechanized ringing system in the tower alerted early Fire Department volunteers to locations of fires by tolling the bell in code. This system enabled volunteers to proceed directly to the fire instead of meeting at the downtown fire station. The Bell Tower system served the community until sometime in the 1920s.

See also: JCHSM Fire Bell Tower State Preservation Award

me data modified from the National Register Information System. Many descriptions used by permission of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce. All material copyrighted by PTguide.com.