Adjacent to Lockport Fire Department Headquarters at the rear of the Municipal Building at The Big Bridge an attractive patch of green is a home for Lockport history and a memorial to city firefighters. The beautiful landscaping is an effort of members of the Lockport's full-time professional fire department. Dominating the picture below is "the big bell." This giant fire bell goes back to 1889 and had hung in a fire tower which was once on Main Street on the south side of The Big Bridge. It's function, of course, was to alert volunteers and the community of a fire. As the 20th century progressed, means of fire emergency communication did also and the city's fire department evolved into a full-time professional organization. The fire bell was no longer needed.
When the tower was taken down the need for a fire bell ended, the
historic carillon was moved to a place of honor at Outwater Park where it remained until
about 1990. Then it was returned to its "home" at the Big Bridge. It
provides the focus of the Firefighters' Memorial.
The bell has a historic engraving but a century of wear has made it impractical for it to photograph well. It is worth a stop at the Memorial to read it in person. Restoration of the bell to enhance the engraving is under study.
Memorial plaques on each side of the bell pay tribute to past members of the fire department going back to volunteer days. The memorial on the left honors the six members of the Lockport professional fire department who lost their lives in the line of duty, fighting fires to save Lockport properties and lives.
Lockport History Reported By Life-Long Lockportians
The
Lockport Home Page: www.Lockport-NY.com
THE PICTURE OF LOCKPORT