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Bell Park was given its name for the bell that was placed in the park. The bell was used to call people to worship and in the event of a fire, as an alarm. Made by the Jones Troy Bell Foundry Company of Troy, NY, it weighed 1577 pounds. The bell was originally ordered, and intended to be hung at the top of the Temple. It was too heavy for its original location; consequently, the decision was made to place it in Bell Park on a wooden platform. In later years, a cement platform was built.This area of Grimsby Park had a bog hole causing the ground to be very damp. To eliminate the wet ground, the spring was damned up and drained into a heart-shaped moat. The drained centre became a beautiful flower garden and grassy area and was accessed by two wooden bridges built over the moat. It was large enough to hold many of the classes offered each summer as part of the programme of activities. Water grew scarce in later years and was drained into the lake. When H.H. Wylie bought the Park in 1910 the moat was filled.
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Bell Park showing the heart shaped moat.1880
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
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The heart-shaped moat in Bell Park is visible in this photograph. The moat was filled in 1910.4
Members of the Jones family of Brantford.1907
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
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Junior Endeavor League of 1896.1896
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
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Grimsby Park's Junior Endeavor League posing on the bell in 1896.7
Bell in Bell Park, Grimsby Beach 1902.1902
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
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Taken in 1902, this photograph shows the original wooden platform for the bell.9
Group of girls on bell in Bell Park around 1920.1920
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park
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A group of girls posing on the bell in the 1920's. The girl at the top right is Wilamyne MacKellar who summered at Pierview Cottage.11
Postcard ''Old Camp meeting Bell Grimsby Beach, Ontario''.1920
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
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To stop the bell from being rung for pranks, a warning sign was placed on the platform. A fine would be charged for improper use. The bell was used for curfew, fire and calling worshippers to church service.13
Postcard of the bell in Bell Park.1950
Bell Park inside Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
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The wooden platform was replaced with a concrete base. |
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