Memorial to fallen soldiers depicted on 2010 commemorative bell

The monument to fallen Civil War soldiers honored on the lawn of the Highland County Courthouse will be featured on the 2010 Festival of the Bells commemorative bell.

As part of the Hillsboro Festival of the Bells celebration, each year a bell depicting a Highland County landmark is added to the collection. 
 The artwork on the bell was done by area artist Stacia Burke, who is an art teacher at Hillsboro Elementary School, according to the Festival of the Bells committee. Each bell is $35. 

According to historical literature provided by the Festival of the Bells organizational committee, the landmark memorializes "soldiers who fought in the Civil War, or the 'War of Rebellion' as the monument phrases it. It was erected in honor of soldiers and sailors who served in the Union Army and Navy during the War of the Rebellion. It was designed by C. Buberl of New York." The cost of building the statue was "defrayed by popular subscription. The monument was dedicated on Nov. 17, 1897, and the speaker for the occasion was General S. H. Hurst of Chillicothe. The two cannons at the base of the monument were given to the county by the Congress of the United States."

The bells can be purchased at Real Living Classic Real Estate Company, 123 W. Main St. in Hillsboro on Saturday, June 5 and Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information call Rick Williams at (937) 393-1622.