This gorgeous bronze bell was cast in 1889. It was the original bell for South Pasadena's Center Street School -- the first school in the city. In 1928, the bell was installed in the tower of the brand new brick building designed by Norman Foote Marsh. That building now houses the offices of the South Pasadena Unified School District, but until 1979 it was known as El Centro School.
The tower was removed for earthquake safety reasons in 1949, but the bell was saved and mounted in front of the school. For decades, graduating sixth-graders would march from the auditorium to the front lawn and strike a celebratory blow on the old bell as a rite of passage. (I have no proof, but I'll bet at least one teacher said "Don't chime in all at once!")
7 comments:
I love the sounds they make. Dad brought me back a replica of the Liberty Bell, from a trip to Philadelphia. That's the first thing I thought of when I saw it. I remember ringing it when Mom announced that dinner was ready.
Aaaaah... memories.
That's one old bell.
there used to be a bell ceremony---marching out to one by one hit the bell. sad day when they closed the school and turned it into offices. Tho, that didn't stop some folks from striking it still on occasion!
I rang that bell in the 6th grade! Thanks for this memory, Laurie.
GREAT headline.
Just found you through Jackie from the old WB days who saw your work on Patch. Great blog, amazing work both with words and images. Those advertising years must seem far away now. We miss you in the trenches.
Look for my email if it went to spam or you don't remember me.
Ray V.
beautiful clock !
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