UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to 1913.

The bell, which been in storage in a local barn since shortly after the college’s main building had been torn down, was donated to the town by Ike and Betty Sayler, who had originally saved the bell in 1938.

On hand Saturday for the unveiling of the bell at the annual Union Bridge “Depot Day,” celebrations were many town and county officials. They included members of the Plymouth Masonic Lodge No. 143, Union Bridge Business Association, Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee, and Lehigh Cement Company, who worked with volunteers and patrons to give the bell a new home, which is almost exactly where the bell once rang to begin the school day.

Keynote speaker for the occasion was Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ecker, the Carroll County schools superintendent, who is the nephew of the Saylers who donated the bell to the town.

Also on hand was Carroll County Sheriff Ken Tregoning, who as a young boy, worked on the Sayler farm and is said to have rung the bell on many an occasion.

---

user comments (0)