Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The Rochester Fire Department is hoping to preserve a piece of the city’s history - one dating back to 1899.  

That was the year  the Fire Department installed a Seth Thomas clock and a bell at its main station, located at the corner of South Broadway and 6th Street SW.  The tower was removed in 1930 when the station was demolished.

Although a new station was built at the same site, the clock and bell were kept in storage for some reason until 1982. That’s when they were installed in a new tower at the US Bank location along 1st Avenue SW, about a block from the fire station. The clock and bell were later moved to the Mayo Civic Center but once again put into storage due to the expansion and renovation project.

The Fire Department has since teamed up with the Rochester Area Foundation in what is being called the “Bring Back the Bell”  project. The plan calls for a relocation of the clock and bell to the South Broadway fire station - the original home. The estimated cost of the project is $300,000, mainly to cover the construction cost of a tower to house the clock and bell.  An anonymous donor has already pledged $100,000 and the foundation will try to raise the balance through donations.

The City Council is being asked to support the project and cover the architectural design cost of $25,000.  The council will discuss the proposal at its Monday afternoon committee meeting.

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