Orton Country School Bell

Zay Norman ringing the bell

Historic Bell Dedicated to Fort Pierre

Another piece of history was added to Fort Pierre on July 4th, 2019. A large school bell weighing in at more than 800 pounds was permanently placed beside the Sansarc School Museum, located behind the log cabin on the corner of Hwy 1804/1st Street and Main Street in Fort Pierre.

The almost century-old country school bell was initially placed in 1925 on top the Orton Country School at Mission Ridge, 45 miles northwest of Fort Pierre. The school officially closed in 2015. A heavy pedestal was crafted from the metal structures of a 1907 bridge near White River, SD.

Visitors can ring the historic bell and visit the historic school museum, log cabin, historic jail and railroad depot which are within short proximity.

 

Illustration by Betsey DeLoache