Purdue Bell Tower facts for kids
The Purdue Bell Tower is a tall structure at Purdue University. It stands 160 feet high, which is about as tall as a 16-story building! This bell tower is right in the middle of the campus. It was built in 1995. The money for it came from a special gift from the university's class of 1948.
The Old Heavilon Hall Tower
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The idea for the current Bell Tower came from an older tower. This old tower was part of a building called Heavilon Hall. Heavilon Hall was built for Purdue's Engineering School. It opened in January 1894. Just four days later, a fire sadly destroyed the building.
After the fire, Purdue's president, James H. Smart, made a promise. He said a new tower would be built "one brick higher." This inspiring phrase became a famous saying for the university. People say the new tower was actually built nine bricks higher! This second Heavilon tower was finished in December 1895. It had clocks on all four sides. In 1897, four bells were added. These bells rang every 15 minutes until the building was taken down in 1956.
The New Purdue Bell Tower
The new Bell Tower was finished in 1995. It was a gift from the class of 1948. This tower is 160 feet tall, just like the original plan. It also has a clock on each of its four sides. The bells from the old Heavilon tower are now in this new tower. Electric hammers hit the bells to make them ring. They ring every hour, half-hour, and when classes end.
The tower also has a special computer-controlled musical instrument. It is called a carillon. This carillon plays Purdue's fight songs. It also plays the university's alma mater, which is a special song for the school. You can hear these songs at 12:20 pm, 5:00 pm, and 10:00 pm.
At the bottom of the tower, there is a time capsule. This is a container filled with items from the past. It is meant to be opened in the year 2095.
In 2008, the Bell Tower became part of the university's emergency system. It now has a loudspeaker and sirens. These can be heard all over the campus. They help tell people about important safety messages.
Fun Legends About the Tower
There are some fun stories about the Purdue Bell Tower. One legend says there is a special seal on the ground under the tower. If a student walks across this seal, they might not graduate in four years. So, many students try to avoid stepping on it!
Another story is about couples. If a couple kisses under the tower, and then walks past the nearby Stone Lion Fountain, they are said to get married someday.
