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Spartan Heritage
The time: early spring, 1880. The pressing goal: a new flagship building to replace the wooden structure that fire had destroyed in the early morning hours of February 10. The new main quarters of the California State Normal School would be constructed of hardier materials (brick and stone) and include a tower that rose 135 feet above ground level. To find an appropriate bell to fill that tower, campus officials looked eastward, to Troy, New York, a city at the center of the American iron industry. According to campus historian Benjamin Gilbert, our “Eflag” bell, inscribed “California State Normal School, 1881,” weighs in at 3,000 pounds and was purchased at a cost of $1,200. Following its inaugural journey cross-country, that heavyweight was hoisted, installed and highlighted in the May, 1881 dedication ceremony, honoring the campus’ new centerpiece. For the occasion, more than 1,500 students, faculty, staff, officials and well-wishers gathered on the quad. Caius Ryland acted as master of ceremonies. Senator George F. Baker addressed the crowd and read a congratulatory message from the governor. Normal School pupils, under the direction of Professor J. H. Elwood, sang “Home, Sweet Home” and the new bell in the new bell tower? It pealed, of course. Far better than the bricks and stones that surrounded it, the bell withstood the 1906 earthquake. In the Tower Hall still with us today, the reinstalled bell eventually hung in the smaller of the two towers. Removed from that roost, it has since traveled around campus. For many years, it reposed in front of Wahlquist Library. In 2000, to make way for the construction of the King Library, it moved again to a spot front and center of the Science Building. In honor of the campus’ 150th anniversary, the bell has moved once more to a permanent location beside Clark Hall, in sightline of its original air space. Although long obsolete as a working bell—the chimes from Tower Hall are now produced by an electronic carillon— the object itself remains a poignant symbol of the university’s beginnings and resilience. The next time you visit campus, may we suggest? Take a seat on one of the benches near the bell platform. Enjoy the shade, enjoy the roses, and when you hear the tower chimes, give a little nod of appreciation to the ironworks beside you. For on our campus, once upon a time, it also sounded the hour. —Kat Meads Our online survey of Washington Square readers revealed that a clamorous 54 percent of you thought that we give too little coverage to San José State’s history and traditions. Henceforth, this regular feature will be devoted to photos, stories and memories from days of yore. Send your suggestions, memories and/or photos to us via e-mail or by mail to WSQ Editor, SJSU, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-0005. |
Division of University Advancement One Washington Square San José, CA 95192-0005 408-924-1166
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