Historic Atlanta Fire Bell

Two recent photos of the Atlanta Fire Bell and environs...

Here is where you can drive by and see the Fire Bell--one of the oldest artifacts on display in Atlanta.

152 yrs. ago, August 8, 1867: In Atlanta, GA, back in late April, the several-day fair to benefit the city through the Fire Department was held in celebration of the completion of the brand-new Fire Station Number 1 and the arrival of Atlanta’s first fire engine with pumps powered by steam in lieu of human efforts. There was a contest of contributions that served as votes for the naming of the steam pumper and the new bell, that would cost the contributors $960. The amount... was raised and Miss Emma Latimer, the winner was honored with the naming of the pumper, Castalia. Miss Augusta Hill (Future Oakland Cemetery silent citizen) came in second and is honored by having her name cast into the new bell’s surface. The bell was immediately ordered and arrived a week ago. The tower has been readied, and the 1,995 lb. bell has been installed, ready for dedication tonight. Amid the fanfare of Professor Clarke’s Silver Band, the Presidents of the four Fire Companies, together, take hold of the rope and pull for the first peal to ring across the city. Atlanta Historian, Franklin Garrett, will write: For the next quarter of a century the celebrated bell announced to the citizens of the city the incidence of fire, indication the approximate location by numbered strokes for ward numbers. It tolled also the passing of Ben Hill in 1882; Alexander Stephens in 1883; and Henry Grady in 1889. It also told of the departure, in the bloom of young womanhood, of the beautiful Augusta Hill Thompson, for whom it was named (Ed note: 1878). -- from the blog "150 Years Ago Today" by Larry Upthegrove See more

"150 yrs ago today, April 30, 1867: In Atlanta, GA, it is all about the fire department today. The city has ordered a new steam pumper fire engine from New York, and it is believed to be in shipment. A new Fire Company No. 1 building is under construction to house the new engine, and it is almost complete, with a provision for a huge fire bell, a bell that is not within the City’s budget. The ladies of the City have put together a two-day fair, beginning today, for the pu...rpose of raising money to pay for the bell One of the fundraising activities is the voting process. Citizens who pay money will decide for whom the new engine will be named, and for whom the new bell will be captioned. Voters must pay for the privilege of voting. When the votes are all counted, Miss Emma Latimer will receive 200 votes, entitling her to have the new steamer named for her. (Incidentally, the new engine arrives today, in time to be displayed as a part of the related activities). Second place will go to Miss Augusta Hill with 75 votes. Miss Hill is a future Silent citizen of Historic Oakland Cemetery, and will have her name inscribed on the city’s new fire bell, now a reality because enough money is raised today to pay for it. The Broad Street Theater, event location, has seen a very good time today, it will again tomorrow, and end with a gala event tomorrow evening.a really good event for the rebuilding of our fire department. The bell will be ordered immediately and be here in late July. I will let you know." - Larry Upthegrove, from his blog "150 Years Ago Today" See more

Here is a photo of the fire bell with the new Atlanta football stadium under construction towering in the background. This photo was taken on February 12, 2017. The new stadium is scheduled to open in June of 2017. There is still time to have the fire bell ring for the opening of the new stadium but its restoration will have to start soon. The fire bell will be 150 years old on August 8, 2017.