The pros at Jackson Monument continue their work – straightening markers and gently cleansing them, as previously reported. That work will be completed soon. Now the next step in Clark Lake’s Memory begins.
Build the Bell Tower
When the Cincinnati Northern Railroad arrived at Clark Lake in the late 1800s, it changed everything. A sleepy rural community was suddenly jarred awake with an influx of city-dwellers. Arriving from places like Cincinnati, they were seeking relief from intense summer heat and humidity. And so, the transformation of Clark Lake began.
The farmers, millers, and shopkeepers were already well-established. Their church was central to the community, an essential place to worship and meet. That first building was completed in 1872. Then, one day in 1912, the Cincinnati Northern was about to change life at Clark Lake again. A hot cinder from the passing coal-fired train ignited a brush fire that spread to the church. Built of wood, the structure was quickly engulfed in flames. As the bell in the church tower lost its moorings, it hurtled to the ground. As members planned to build a new edifice, they knew that cracked bell could never ring again. But, they saved it, and it has been preserved to this day.
Former members of the Clarklake Community Church have donated the bell for display in the cemetery as part of Clark Lake’s Memory. When Build the Bell Tower is completed, visitors will see it mounted on a pillar in the Clark Lake Cemetery. The location will be in the middle of the first row of plots at the front. Columbia Charter Township has donated a now-vacant grave site for this project, families with those interred on either side favor the project, and the Directors of the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation are taking on the work to make this a reality.
The tower will be similar in construction and appearance to the pillars at the front of the cemetery. Those pillars and fencing were put in place 20 years ago by the Foundation in collaboration with the Township. Aside from greatly improving the appearance of the cemetery, it was also out of respect. Boaters would desecrate graves by parking trailers and vehicles over them. Because of the fencing, that no longer happens. What’s more, Spirit Trail volunteers beautify this area by caring for the plantings along the entrance.
When the Bell Tower is completed, plaques will be mounted on three sides of it. One side will tell the story of the bell, a second will recognize the donors who contributed to restoring the markers, and the third will acknowledge the benefactor for the construction of the Bell Tower. The Michael Ibold Wilger Foundation is donating the funds that will enable the work to go forward. Michael Ibold Wilger had a deep affection for all things Clark Lake. He especially loved its history, and took great interest in it. In 2016, at age 59, Michael left too early.
Like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the bell in the Clark Lake cemetery will not be functional. But it will be forever part of Clark Lake’s Memory.
In this photo, the Foundation’s Mike McKay and Marc Brosamer are loading the bell to be transported to Brooklyn. It is there that Brosamer Bells will finish the support and apply the necessary restorative work. It’s fortunate that an expert in this work is available so close to the site.
Construction of the Bell Tower is underway. Thanks to Andy Willbee and Willbee Transit Mix for donating the concrete blocks, steel rerod and mortar.
Thanks to the donors whose supported made possible the restoration of the cemetery, also known as Part 1 of Clark Lake’s Memory.
DONORS
3000+
Chas & Pat Timberlake – Honoring Frances M. (Timberlake) Lillis (1950-2008) who spent many wonderful summers at Windward on Eagle Point
1000+
Walter Reed
500+
Joan Ambs
Rick Belcher – Honoring William & Julia Preece
John & Jackie Calhoun – Honoring John (Jack) & Maxine King
Mike & Teresa McKay
Raft-O-Rama
Bill & Ann Searles
250+
John, Dotty & Johnny Karkheck
150+
Nancy & Mike Ligibel
100+
Angela Anderson – Honoring Anderson-Willnow-Pierson Families
C. J. Cox – Honoring Monty R. Cox
Ronald & Sue Crawford
David & Sandy Gaunt – Honoring Crawford/Blanchard/Gaunt Family
Stacy Harrison
Delores Jackson – Honoring John I., Mary Fred, Hila, Tom, Mable, Jack Jackson
Ron & Beth June – Honoring Richard Moyer
Lauri & Steve Lambert
Chuck & Tina Newman – Honoring Woodie & Betty Newman
Carolyn Nichols – Honoring Kay Vermeulen Nichols
Barbara Owings – Honoring Ron Owings
Terry & Cris Reed – Honoring Robert & Lila Jean Reed
Archie Sconochia
Andrea Steible
John & Elaine Stewart
Brenda Weidner – Honoring James & Hattie Crozier
Carolyn Zader – Honoring Edna Holzapfel
50+
Tom & Marcia Babcock – Honoring Charles & Martha Crawford
Linda Z. Gregory – Honoring David H. Gregory, Trelys O. Gregory, Wright Gregory
Adam McKay
Viewing the names of honorees on this page will bring back recollections of those who have gone before us. The Clark Lake Memory plaque to be placed in the cemetery will bear the names of the donors, while this website also includes the names of those remembered by the donors.
To catch up on some of the other work so far, please click here.
