The Number 54 C.S. Bell Company bell, the largest production iron bell in history, world’s largest Crystal Metal bell, code name Reindeer, is coming back home to Hillsboro after being rescued from a church in Pennsylvania. Reindeer will reside at 160 W. Main St. in Hillsboro, at C.S. Bell’s second foundry location.
The massive bell removal was pulled off by The Salvage Dawgs of the T.V. show by the same name. The bell’s original home, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Greencastle, Pennsylvania was being repurposed and the bell had to go. Check it out – Season 7, Episode 1.
The Salvage Dawgs were assisted by Marc Brosamer of Brosamer’s Bells in Brooklyn, Michigan. Marc is a second-generation campanologist, bell dealer, and is most knowledgeable on C.S. Bell bells. Marc purchased the bell on site. We’ve known Marc for a few years and from time to time would ask Marc to put a price on the bell and how important it was to get that bell back home to Hillsboro. Marc understood and over time relented.
The number 54 bell, only 6” larger than the number 48, with its massive sound bow ring and all components weighs in at 3,150 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the #48. The bell assembly will be mounted on a specially designed base of precast concrete as described and rated below. Mike Ames conceived the idea of a precast structure and will be handling the installation.
JK Precast of Washington Court House Ohio designed the base for project Reindeer. Given the weight and base dimensions of the bell their engineer recommended 2 specially cast 4 feet by 8 feet, 1000-gallon vaults, increasing exterior wall thickness from 4″ to 6″ thick. Interior 4” center walls will be pinned together creating a center beam 8” thick. The tanks will be filled with #57 aggregate before an 8 foot by 8 foot, ten inch thick precast slab is placed, topping off the base. Rating on the concrete is 5,000 PSI.
Many thanks to all the folks at locally owned JK Precast Concrete in Court House. Our choice of precast saves time and money and has a smooth surface to facilitate proposed artwork on exposed concrete. A time capsule will be placed in each of the vaults.
The bell will be housed in a belfry atop the base measuring 8’ square by 8’ feet high. Larry and Josh Barr of Barr Construction will build the frame out of steel-braced heavy timbers. All exposed wood will be wrapped in cedar. Custom made steel corner braces feature a cutout of a C. S. Bell bell. The metal roof of the belfry will match the C. S. Bell Foundry & Showroom building roof.
Proposed artwork will include period style signage on the wall running from the alley to the building as well as artwork on the smooth concrete vaults. The artwork will communicate the history of the bell and recognize contributing individuals and organizations.
Reindeer will be accompanied by 4 additional bells 24”, 28” and 30 inches in diameter.
Stay tuned for more info.