Historic Hood River
“One 1206 lb. Bell with Bolt and Clapper”
Notes
In 1914 the City of Hood River spent a sizable chunk of change (more than $13,000 today) on a new fire bell.
Fire bells were a big deal in those days, so we have plenty of documentation about this. In 1907 the city purchased a much smaller bell for mounting in the old fire station on 4th street.
In 1913 they ordered this bell from the same company in Baltimore, which was to housed in a tower to be erected south of the Park Street School according to this account. The bell was delivered and first used for this October 1913 fire. We know the city council authorized payment for the bell in November 1913 from this account. I can’t explain why this bill is dated 1914, but all the details match the 1913 bell. This bill is accompanied by a letter the city sent to the bell company asking for help reselling their old bell (presumably the 1907 one).
I believe this 1913 bell was replaced by a siren some years later. I recall Bill Pattison talking about the derelict tower many years later.
In this era the city still used the 1905  chemical engine. They didn’t purchase a motorized engine until 1920. I wonder if they were still hauling the chemical engine with horses or if they pulled it around with a truck.
Jeffrey Bryant
The Hood River Glacier, 3 March 1921, page 1 has an article about the Park Street School bell.
https://oregonnews.uoregon.edu/lccn/sn97071110/1921-03-03/ed-1/seq-1/
It appears that the Park Street School bell was originally purchased from a different company.
Will
McShane’s is still casting bells.
https://mcshanebell.com/history/