C. S. Bell Foundry and Showroom celebrates bell dedication
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for C. S. Bell Foundry and Showroom on Sept. 12 to celebrate the unveiling and dedication of the number 54 bell that now sits behind 160 West Main Street in Hillsboro. C. S. Bell Foundry and Showroom’s purpose is to build economic development through tourism. (Submitted photo)
C. S. Bell Foundry and Showroom, located behind 160 West Main Street, celebrated the unveiling and dedication of the number 54 bell with the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, along with family, friends and members of the community, on Sept. 12. C. S. Bell Foundry and Showroom is owned and operated by Tim and Deb Koehl.
The C.S. Bell number 54 bell is the largest production iron bell in history. After being rescued from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Greencastle, Pa., the world’s biggest Crystal Metal Bell is back in Hillsboro.
The massive bell removal was pulled off by the Salvage Dawgs of the TV show by the same name in season 7, episode 1. The bell’s original home was repurposed, and the bell had to go. Marc Brosamer, a second-generation bell dealer, consulted on the removal and bought the bell on site.
“I’ve known Marc for a while and attempted to buy the bell to bring back home where it was made,” said Tim Koehl. “Finally, Marc relented and sold us the bell.”
As a product of C. S. Bell’s Secrete Formula, 54 inches in diameter and weighing 3,150 pounds, it is mounted on a specially designed base of precast concrete vaults. Time capsules containing historical artifacts were placed in the vaults.
Mike Ames conceived the idea of the precast structure and JK Precast in Washington Court House designed and cast the base. The belfry was built out of steel-braced heavy timbers wrapped in cedar by Larry, Josh and Cody Barr of Barr Construction. The artwork used to communicate the history of the company and the bell was created by Pam Kellough Murals.
Others who helped make the project a reality are Mike Ames, Nick Lindsey, Critter Stroud, Ron Davis, Dave Waller, Mike and Jamie Reed, Sean Dance, Jessalyn and Mark Hunter, T&G Towing and Jim Gibbs. The Koehls were also joined by members of the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association, Hillsboro Uptown Revitalization Project, the Highland County Historical Society, American Bell Association International, Dark Harvest Productions and the Festival of the Bells committee for the dedication ceremony.
For more information, please visit the C S Bell Facebook page.
About the Highland County Chamber of Commerce: The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership-driven organization that represents the business community of Highland County. The many plans and programs the Chamber offers its investors, combined with county workforce development initiatives and local, state and federal legislative/advocacy efforts, position the Chamber of Commerce as a leading organization in Highland County. Learn more at www.thehighlandchamber.com.
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