Well folks, it looks like Washington and Jefferson College was unable or rather unwilling to save the beautiful bell tower which stood for almost 70 years next to McIlvaine Hall on Lincoln St. After all the local outcry and efforts to save the tower and to move it to another location, the wrecking ball was called to do it's job. I took this picture with my cell phone camera on Friday afternoon August 8, 2008.

According to the local Observer Reporter newspaper the clock was given in memory of David F. McGill, Class of 1881. The bells, in honor of Stephen Foster - considered the first professional songwriter in the United States - were a gift from the Women's Auxiliary of Allegheny County. It contained a perfectly functioning Stephen Collins Foster Carillon which chimed on the hour since 1940 when it was first erected. 

The tower itself was named and was built in memory of John L. Stewart, Class of 1899

      

I guess W&J felt no pain at destroying this old landmark. You might want to think about that when considering any donations of large sums of money toward erecting something at the College that you think will stand as a permanent memorial.

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