The Pierce Bell
By Natalie Kosch
Ring, Ring, that’s the curfew bell. The bell was used as a fire and curfew alarm in Pierce, and it was hung in the middle of the Farmers Grain Company, in a tower. Today's location in relation to where it was is in the center of Second Street, north of the intersection of with Main Street.
The Bell was in service for more than 40 years beginning in March 1898 until December 1938. At some time during that period, the bell was taken apart because its safety was questionable, and then it was relocated to a water tower within the bounds of the town offices.
The bell also operated as a fire warning, and it was so loud when it was rung that it could be heard at impressive distances. The bell sounded for responders at many sizable local fires, some being; Old Gilman Mill, the W.W. Riley Home, Andersen Garage, and in the 1922 Opera House.
The bell also signaled curfew; it would ring at the time 9:00 p.m. in the summer, at 8:00 p.m. in the winter. It would be rung by the town's marshal. Once the bell rang, businesses would close and minors had to be out of the streets, and no loitering or playing in the streets would be allowed.
In 1927, the bell was decommissioned, because a more advanced siren system was put into place, but if the new system failed to work, the bell was at hand to serve once more.
Today there are also different and more advanced systems put in place for curfews and fire alarms.
As students are nearing summer vacation, a curfew does still exist, but a bell is not used. Today’s curfew is 11:00 p.m. for those who are under the age of 18. If caught after curfew, depending on how the minor was caught, they could get a ticket, a warning, or taken to the police station and a call made to parents to come and get the minor. In severe instances, minors may have to pay a fine, or do community service and have a juvenile record.
The bell is now exhibited at Gilman Park in the Pierce Historical Society Museum Complex.
