Big Joe (bell) facts for kids
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 37,000 lb (16,818 kg) |
| Diameter: | 9 feet (2.7 m) |
| Material: | Bronze |
| Yoke: | unknown pounds (unknown kg) |
| Clapper: | 640 pounds |
| Location: | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Casting Date: | 1895 |
| Musical note: | E♭ |
Joseph, often called Big Joe, is a giant bronze bell. It hangs high up in the bell tower of Saint Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. This church has a special "Neo-Gothic" style, which means it looks like old European cathedrals with tall, pointed arches.
The bell got its nickname, Big Joe, from two things. First, it honors Joseph T. Buddeke, who gave a lot of money for the project. Second, it's a nod to Big Ben, the famous bell in London's Palace of Westminster clock tower.
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Discovering Big Joe
Big Joe is truly massive! It stands 7 feet (2.1 m) tall and is 9 feet (2.7 m) wide. This makes it the largest swinging bell ever made in the United States. It weighs about 17.5 tons, which is like the weight of several elephants!
How Big Joe Was Made
The E. W. Van Duzen Company cast Big Joe on October 30, 1895. They made it at their foundry, which is a special factory where metal is melted and poured into molds. Once it was finished, this huge bell had to be moved. It took 12 strong horses to pull Big Joe through the streets of Cincinnati to the church.
Big Joe's First Ring
In January 1896, Big Joe rang for the very first time. Its sound was incredibly loud and could be heard up to 15 miles (24 km) away! People in the nearby Walnut Hills neighborhood were quite surprised by the noise.
Some stories say that the powerful sound, which was an E♭ note, made houses shake. It even supposedly broke windows nearby. However, experts today say this part is probably just a local legend. They believe the bell was simply too big for its tower.
Why Big Joe Doesn't Swing
After that first ring, the church leaders decided Big Joe should "remain immobile forever." This means it would never swing again. The bell's clapper, which weighs 640-pound (290 kg), was put away. Today, Big Joe is only rung by a special large hammer that gently taps its rim.
Big Joe Today
Even though it doesn't swing, Big Joe still plays an important role. It is struck three times a day: at 6 AM, 12 noon, and 6 PM. These rings are for the Angelus, a traditional Christian prayer. After Big Joe rings, four smaller bells, sometimes called the "ladies in waiting," chime in.
