Big Walter: The History of the Bel Air Fire Bell

The history of the Bel Air fire bell - later known as “Big Walter” - began shortly after the formation of the Bel Air Fire and Salvage Company in 1890. From the start, community members recognized the need for a reliable way to alert volunteers and residents when a fire occurred.

Early Efforts to Establish a Fire Alarm

In November 1890, a committee was formed to request assistance from the county commissioners to purchase and install a bell that could serve as a fire alarm. Despite strong discussion within the town, the proposal ultimately faded without action.

Another committee was appointed in October 1891 to address the issue of fire alarms, but this effort also failed to produce results.

Renewed Urgency After the 1893 Fire

In October 1893, a serious nighttime fire occurred in Bel Air. The blaze had already gained significant momentum before many residents were aware of the danger. In fact, for much of the town, the incident was over before they even knew a fire had occurred.

The event reignited discussions about installing a fire alarm system. The town commissioners indicated they would support purchasing and erecting a bell for that purpose. Committees were again formed, proposals were reviewed, and demonstrations of alarm systems were conducted. However, after several months, the initiative once again lost momentum.

Plans for a Bell Tower

In December 1897, a new proposal suggested constructing a tower in front of the Harford County Courthouse to house a large fire bell. Another suggestion was to lease the former Bel Air Academy building on Pennsylvania Avenue and utilize the bell already located in its tower.

Opponents argued that the academy’s location was not ideal and that its bell was too small to adequately alert the town.

The 1898 Proposal

On January 21, 1898, town citizens gathered at the Harford County Courthouse to discuss establishing a fire alarm system. The proposal involved installing a 1,000-pound bell with electrical attachments, mounted in a newly constructed tower. The estimated cost was $1,000, a significant expense at the time.

After a vote, it was determined that the town’s financial condition made the project unadvisable. However, the meeting did result in a resolution requesting that the town commissioners purchase necessary equipment for the fire company, including a hook and ladder carriage. The fire alarm system would remain under consideration until the town’s finances improved.

The Bell Finally Arrives

The issue resurfaced again on January 27, 1903, when another meeting was held at the courthouse. A committee consisting of Walter Finney (Chairperson), Milton A. Reckord, and James Reynolds was appointed to investigate a practical fire alarm system.

By April 1903, the committee reported significant progress in raising funds through community subscriptions and requested financial support from the town commissioners. The commissioners then formed a joint committee to approach the county commissioners about constructing a belfry on the courthouse to house the bell.

Although the exact sequence of events is unclear, success soon followed. On July 29, 1903, a fire bell arrived in Bel Air. The bell had been purchased through a combination of private subscriptions and appropriations from the Town of Bel Air and Harford County. Weighing over 2,000 pounds, the bell was expected to be heard for miles once installed.

Construction of a courthouse cupola to house the bell began on September 4, 1903. On October 13, 1903, the bell was raised into position. Over the following month, workers completed the installation and connected the mechanisms needed to operate it.

How the Bell Was Activated

The system allowed the bell to be activated from either of the town’s two telephone exchanges. When residents reported a fire, the telephone operator could trigger the bell electronically to alert firefighters and citizens.

By April 4, 1904, newspaper articles were already referring to the bell by its nickname: “Big Walter.”

One report described the bell ringing six times, followed by twelve, indicating a fire in the northwestern section of town. This is the only documented instance where a specific ringing sequence corresponded to a particular location within the town.

Later, after the fire company began responding outside town limits with motorized apparatus, the bell signals became simpler:

• Six rings – Fire within the town

• Twelve rings – Fire outside the town

The Bell’s Limitations

For decades, the bell served as Bel Air’s primary fire alarm, waking firefighters and alerting residents whenever a fire occurred.

However, its limitations became clear on May 2, 1937, when a fire broke out at the Modiste Dress Shop on Main Street at approximately 4:00 a.m. Although the bell rang almost continuously, only two firefighters responded promptly. Many members who lived farther away never heard the alarm.

Fortunately, tenants upstairs smelled smoke and reported the fire early. By keeping the doors closed until firefighters arrived, they helped prevent the blaze from spreading.

The Siren Replaces the Bell

Following the 1937 incident, the fire company began investigating more reliable alarm systems. Fundraising efforts were launched, and plans were made to install an electric siren atop the newly constructed hose tower behind the Main Street fire station.

In April 1938, the fire company purchased a Federal Electric Siren. By late June of that year, the bell was officially retired as the town’s fire alarm. The new siren signaled a fire by sounding seven times within a minute and a half.

The Bell’s Journey After Retirement

Although no longer used for alarms, the bell remained in the courthouse cupola until September 1967, when it was removed.

When the bell reached the ground, onlookers were surprised to discover the inscription:

 

“THE BEL AIR FIRE AND SALVAGE COMPANY”

Many residents had not realized the bell actually belonged to the fire company.

The bell was transported to the county highway shop in Hickory for storage while officials determined its future.

In December 1967, the bell was placed on a concrete pedestal in front of the courthouse. Beneath it, a time capsule was installed containing a written prayer, a poem, and the signatures of individuals involved in the removal and relocation project.

Continued Efforts to Bring the Bell Home

In 1981, Harford County considered remounting the bell in the courthouse cupola. The fire company again requested that the bell be returned so it could be displayed at the fire station. The request was denied, and the bell was placed back in the courthouse cupola.

Years later, when the fire company planned construction of a new station on Hickory Avenue in 1998, negotiations began once more with the county to relocate the bell. This time, the department secured donations from Williams Crane Company and private citizens to cover the cost of removal. An agreement was finally reached.

The Return of Big Walter

In late 1999, the bell was removed from the courthouse cupola and transported to the McShane Bell Company in Baltimore, the same company that had originally cast it more than 90 years earlier. The company agreed to store the bell until the new fire station was ready.

In 2000, the bell was delivered to its new home and mounted in a special display area in front of the Hickory Avenue fire station.

Today, Big Walter remains an important symbol of the department’s history. The bell’s ringing mechanism has been reconnected to a button inside the fire station, and it is still rung during special events - continuing a tradition that began more than a century ago.