City Hall Fire Bell
Paola's Volunteer Fire Company, like many others in the midwest, was formed after the great Chicago Fire in 1871. There were no telephones, sirens or radios to notify the firefighters. In 1876, this 400 lb. "nice toned" alarm bell was bought for $150.
When a fire was reported, first a general alarm was sounded. The bell then rang the number of times that corresponded to the district where the fire was burning. Firefighters rushed to that area in search of the fire.
Paola, incorporated in 1855 by the First Kansas Territorial Legislature, is one of Kansas' oldest cities. Originally used as a "lock up and morgue", the City Hall property at Peoria and Agate has been owned by the city since 1873.
Washburn & Sons Architects designed the current City Hall, which cost $9,905 to build in 1909. The bell was erected in the cupola.
After many years of service, the Fire Bell was replaced first by a siren and then by a special telephone party line that the switchboard operator used to alert firefighters. The Fire Bell was restored on this site in 2004.
Thanks to Doherty Ornamental Iron and Wilson & Son Funeral Home for donations to the restoration.
Marker is at the intersection of East Peoria Street and South Agate Street, on the left when traveling west on East Peoria Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
