New Almaden Fire Bell Tower - San Jose, California
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 10.438 W 121° 49.489
10S E 604326 N 4114818
This reproduction of the historic fire bell tower is located in the parking lot at the Hacienda entrance to Quicksilver Park. The tower was used to warn the residents and call the volunteer fire brigade into action.
Waymark Code: WMTDZ6
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 11/08/2016
Views: 0
From the sign on the bell tower:
In 1874, a fire swept through the New Almaden community destroying many miner's homes. To prevent the recurrence of such a disaster, mine manager James Randol organized a local bucket brigade and ordered the construction of a bell tower and a system of fire hydrants.
The original bell tower was constructed just inside the main gate to the Hacienda Reduction Works, about 50 feet north of the current park entrance on Almaden Road. In addition to the bell, which was used to alert the bucket brigade, the tower housed a hose cart. Both the bell and the hose cart were used on many occasions over the years.
This bell tower was built and dedicated on Pioneer Day, 2015, by the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association.