The Owego Fire Bell is being sent out for maintenance and installed in the new Steamer House upon its return.

From colonial times through the twentieth century, one of the only means of calling firefighters to action in event of fire was the cry of “Fire!” which was taken up block after block until the church officers could run to the steeples and start ringing church bells.  Even where there was a regular fire bell system as was the case in Owego, churches usually chimed in, so every volunteer firefighter was sure to hear some bell alerting them to respond.

Manufactured by MeNeely Bell Company in Troy, the bell was presented to the Village of Owego by Dr. Sidney Wells Thompson on December 11, 1911, the same year Owego Central Fire Station was built.

The 110 year old fire bell is currently located in the Owego Central Fire Station clock tower and is scheduled to be removed around noon on Monday. The bell, currently weight 813 pounds, will be removed through clock tower vent and lowered approximately 100 feet to ground level on Temple Street via crane. Following the removal of the bell from the tower, the bell will be transported to the Verdin Bell Company facility in Ohio where it will be sandblasted and polished. The bell will return to be installed in the Owego House Team’s Steamer House building planned next to Owego Fire Station #2 on North Avenue.

Construction of the “Steamer House” that will showcase the Owego Fire Department’s 1866 Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine and 1939 Sanford Hose Truck should begin later this year depending on funding. The site is currently being cleared by Owego Hose Team volunteers. Taking after the Steamer House located in Marathon, it will be constructed of cedar wood frame and glass solarium walls for 360 degree viewing with a steeple for the fire bell.  After installation, the bell will chime on the hour and for special occasions as it did in the previous location.

The Steamer House phase of the Hose Team project is estimated to cost in upwards of $50,000 and the bell addition will increase that cost by $20,000.  All funds for the Steamer project are being raised privately by the Hose Team.