STAUNTON - The old bronze bell, which is believed to have signaled the start of the school day at the first brick schoolhouse built in 1855 in Staunton and located at the northwest corner of South Edwardsville and East Mill Streets, has been back in service for nearly a year. The landscaping and plaque were added earlier this school year and some of those involved in the project gathered last week for a picture.

The bell, was cast in the early 1850’s by David Caughlan-Saint Louis, MO. It was moved from the first building to what was known as the South School when it was constructed in 1880. That school being located where RP Lumber is today. At the close of the 1955-1956 school year, when the last classes were held at the old South School, the bell went silent, as there were no plans to use it at the new modern facility. The old school was demolished, but the bell was saved from the scrap pile and came into the possession of Lewis Jacobs, father of Lanida Frizzo and a long time school board member and local businesman. After her father’s death, Mrs. Frizzo donated the bell to the school. The plaque reads "Bell Donated in memory of LEWIS W. "SALLY" JACOBS by his daughter landia frizzo." Mrs. Frizzo’s cousin Jarid Ott removed 150 years of tarnish, restoring the bell to its original luster.

During the 2005-2006 school year, the 7th and 8th grade Quest Classes under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Gockel raised funds to pay for the tower and landscaping materials. Local masonry contractor Duane Lowery and his family donated their time to construct the tower and install the cap stones, which were donated by McCann Concrete Products, Inc. of Dorsey. The landscape work was done by students and teachers.

Mr. Skertich, who coordinated all of the efforts, thanked Mrs. Frizzo for donating the bell, Mr. Ott for his reconditioning efforts, Mr. Gockel and the Quest Classes for their fund raising and hard work with the landscaping and everyone else who had a part in the project. Mrs. Frizzo expressed her appreciation as well and said her father would be delighted with the result.

A complete history of the bell and the schools it served, along with information about the founder of the bell will be on display near the Principal’s Office prior to the start of the next school year and will be made available on the school’s web site.