The Uxbridge Bell Tower – 1884

In 1884 the bell tower was constructed as a Firehall and alarm bell.  The bell for the tower (seen below) was made in New York and installed in the tower in 1887.  The Joseph Goulds Mechanics Institute (Uxbridge Public Library) constructed in 1887 was to house the new bell in the clock tower, however when it was delivered it was feared to be too heavy and thought when rung would reduce the Institute to a pile of rubble.  The bell was then installed in the recently built bell tower and was connected by cables to the library bell tower to chime out the hours for the town to hear.

The above photo is a post card from 1937 – Courtesy of Uxbridge The First 100 Years by: J. Peter Hvidsten

The bell tower had double duty.  It ran in the hours of the day and was also the alarm incase of fire.  There was a small door door at the base of the tower that someone could open and ring the bell.  The bell tower was sold to Miles Houck after serving the residents of Uxbridge for more than 65 years.  Mr. Houck who ran a garage south of the tower offered the tower for sale if anyone would remove it and restore it.  Since no one was interested on purchasing the tower in October 1954 it was demolished.  The bell after being stored for a number of years was placed on display in front of the old firehall on Bascom Street and is now on display in the tower at the new firehall on Brock Street. (see below).

The above photo shows the Bell Tower located behind the Joseph Goulds Mechanic Institute in the late 1800s.

A post card from 1910 courtesy of www.scugogheritage.com

A post card from 1937 courtesy of www.scugogheritage.com

A rare photo above shows the bell tower from behind from the bridge at the north end of Whelers Pond.

Behind the bell tower you can see the stables at the Mansion House Hotel. 

Courtesy of Uxbridge The First 100 Years by: J. Peter Hvidsten

Pictured above is the bell after is was removed from the Bell Tower.

Courtesy of Uxbridge The Good Old Days by: J. Peter Hvidsten

Here we see the bell being installed on the roof of the Firehall on Brock St.

Courtesy of Uxbridge The Good Old Days by: J. Peter Hvidsten

The above photo shows where the bell was displayed at the old Firehall on Bascom St.

The above photo shows where the bell is proudly displayed currently at the new Firehall on Brock St.

Learn more about Uxbridge’s history by visiting our blog page UXBRIDGE HISTORY

Or visit the Uxbridge Historical Centre (Museum and Archives)

Photos Courtesy of

Uxbridge Historical Centre (Museum and Archives)

Uxbridge The Good Old Days by: J. Peter Hvidsten

Uxbridge The First 100 Years by: J. Peter Hvidsten