When the Liberty Bell came to McCook

A photo from the Museum of the High Plains in McCook shows the arrival of the Liberty Bell in McCook in 1915. Courtesy photo

I’d like to think that if the Liberty Bell came to McCook today everyone would be there to greet it and marvel over the fact that it had survived all these years. It is, after all, 270 years old having been ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 to commemorate the anniversary of William Penn’s 1701 Charter of Privileges which was Pennsylvania’s original constitution.

Originally known as the “State House Bell”, it rang true and clear until a final crack silenced in in 1846. It became the “Liberty Bell” when abolitionists claimed it as a symbol of freedom for all citizens of the United States regardless of their race due to the inscription found on the bell: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”

In 1915, the Liberty Bell toured the United States as it was transported to the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. McCook was one of the stops along the way as this article from the McCook Republican, June 18, 1915, covers.

“Big Day Coming. Two Celebrations Will Be Combined Into One Big One. To Honor Liberty Bell. The Annual Railroad Men’s Picnic Postponed This Year From Fourth of July until Friday July 9. The committee appointed by the Commercial Club to make arrangements to do honor to the Liberty Bell while in this city the evening of July 9th, met with the railroad men’s picnic association Saturday and the agreement was reached that the annual picnic be held the same day the Bell is to be here. The Liberty Bell will stop here about thirty minutes to change engine crews thus giving everyone ample time to see it. Arrangements will be made so that the crowds can pass around the bell on platforms built on each side of the car on which the bell is being transported to California and see it from all sides. Electric lights will be so arranged as to make it light as day as the bell will probably not arrive here until ten o’clock. The day will be given over to the railroad men for their annual picnic and it is needless to say there will be something doing every minute that will be worth while coming to see and hear. This will surely be a day worth coming to McCook, full of pleasure, music, sport and to see the old Liberty Bell.”

The Liberty Bell is still a symbol of freedom today. Once hung in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Liberty Hall), it is now on display at the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historic Park, Philadelphia, PA. This trip is still on my bucket list for when we return to the east coast.

SWNGS library is open, weather permitting, on Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4 PM. We are located in the Temple Building, 322 Norris Ave., Rooms 2-7. There is an elevator for your use.