Welcome to the Union Common at Marlborough Center!
What you are looking at in this tower's belfry is a real life, 700+ pound piece of Civil War History. Some would even say its contraband... while others would say it is simply just the spoils of war. Originally, the bell was housed in the Harper's Ferry Engine House in West Virginia. That was the same building where famed abolitionist, John Brown, was captured after his ill-fated raid in 1859 (he was hanged for treason several weeks later).
Two year's after Brown's failed attack, a Marlborough unit of the Union Army was battling their way through the arsenal in Harper's Ferry. They were ordered to seize anything of value and, knowing that many bells were melted down for ammunition, they took the bell with them. Of course, since many of their unit were firemen, there were some ulterior motives in play as well... since their home firehouse was in need of a bell. Well, long story short... It took about 30 years, some fundraising, and a couple of side trips with a little help - but the bell finally arrived in Marlborough sometime in 1892. It has remained here since. Although, over the past 130+ years, there have been more than a few attempts to have the bell returned back to its original home in West Virginia. But, obviously, all attempts have failed...
In 2022, my family and I paid a visit to Harper's Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia. There's plenty of great views and things to see, and we visited many of the interesting monuments, memorials, museums and, of course, the John Brown Fort, where the bell once stood.
TO CLAIM THIS FIND: Please post a picture of you or your device at the bell tower on Union Common.
For bonus points: Share any pictures/stories if you have visited Harper's Ferry and/or whether you believe the bell should remain where it is - or should be returned to Harper's Ferry.
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Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
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