Springfield’s First Fire Alarm Bell
(Located in Springfield City Hall Lobby)

This old cast iron fire bell was used in Springfield for 14 years to call volunteer fireman to assemble at the City’s only fire station, located at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets.

In 1907, the City’s fire committee, which consisted of Mayor R. A. Jayne and Councilmen E. C. Martin, E.E. Kepner and J. Sinner, bought the 375-pound bell from the Reareson Machine Company of Chicago for $57.50.

The bell was mounted in a small wooden tower built on an empty lot directly behind the fire station. The city stopped using the alarm bell in 1921 when Booth Kelly Mill volunteered its loud steam whistle for use as Springfield’s official fire alarm.

After resting in storage for more than 7 decades, the old fire bell was restored and mounted in 1995. This was made possible by the following community volunteers:

Glen Litten, Emerald Hydraulics, Inc. (Bell Restoration)
Steven and Suzanne Dorman, Dorman Construction, Inc. (Bell Frame)
Mayor Bill Morrisette