Bell Tower

Bell Tower

Purdue’s Bell Tower was built with donations from the Class of 1948. The bells that now hang in a cluster in the center of the tower are the original bells (provided by the class of 1895) that hung in the old Heavilon Hall before it was destroyed in a fire. They sound at various intervals during the day to signal class changes, and play music at 12:20 and 5:00 pm. The Bell Tower was dedicated at Homecoming on October 14, 1995, and now stands as a guiding landmark on campus.

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Bell Tower

Bell Tower

Bell Tower - (Purdue University Marketing and Media / Smith Donovan)

(Purdue University Marketing and Media / Smith Donovan)

(Purdue University Marketing and Media / Smith Donovan)

Bell Tower

Bell Tower

Bell Tower - The base of the Purdue Bell Tower. There is a myth that states if an undergraduate student walks under the tower that it will take more than 4 years for that student to graduate.

The base of the Purdue Bell Tower. There is a myth that states if an undergraduate student walks under the tower that it will take more than 4 years for that student to graduate.

The base of the Purdue Bell Tower. There is a myth that states if an undergraduate student walks under the tower that it will take more than 4 years for that student to graduate.

Purdue Bell Tower On January 19, 1894, Purdue University dedicated Heavilon Hall, an engineering laboratory with a tower that soared above the modest skyline of the fledgling campus. Four days later, the structure lay in ruins, destroyed by explosion and fire. Amid the shock and tears of the disaster, Purdue President James Smart issued a rallying cry that crystallized the spirit of the University: "That tower shall go up one brick higher!" It did go up again-- nine bricks higher, according to legend-- and the rebuilt Heavilon Hall and tower remained a campus landmark until they were razed in 1956. The four bells from the rebuilt tower, which tolled the hours and class times for generations of Purdue students, fell silent for almost 40 years. The Heavilon Hall bells now ring again in the belfry above, reminding all who hear their joyous peals that our University will ever strive to build "one brick higher." Dedicated October 14, 1995 Made possible with a leadership gift from the Class of 1948 Time capsule below to be opened in 2095 A.D.

Plaque

Plaque

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