History Preserved

The school house bell from the old McDonald School on 9th Street has been moved and as previously reported it has been donated to the Wellsville Historical Society. This is the bell that sat in front of the present day structure that was recently sold by the B.O.E.

This bell pictured above was in the old Gothic looking building that was torn down when the new school was built in 1955. The big spoked wheel to the left of the bell was part of the system in the old building. It was attached to the bell so when the rope was pulled it would swing back and forth. The wheel is counter balanced and once the rope was pulled the bell would swing several times on the one pull ringing out.

Brassy Berresford told me his father was the custodian at the old building. The opening to get up in the bell tower was too small for him to fit through. So when it came time to grease the wheel he would give young Brassy a grease gun and send him up the ladder.

Brassy also told me they were caught unawares when the bell was delivered to the Riverside facility. Luckily it happened on a day when they had a work party going on and were there to receive it. Apparently the new owner of the McDonald building arranged to have it moved and no one in the Historical Society was told the specifics. Brassy said they are going to build a foundation for the bell to sit on. Thanks to the Logans for taking care of that.

Before closing I wanted to mention that "pipe" thing sitting to the left of the wheel is what they call a chimney topper. This particular one came off the Maclean Funeral Home here in town. Brassy told me it was made at a plant that use to be along the river between here and East Liverpool. That plant was long gone before my memory kicks in.

There's a lot of history sitting next to that wall behind the museum.

ole nib