The Peru Gazette

By John T Ryan

Peru – Many of Heyworth Mason Park’s visitors are already asking, “What’s the significance of that bell tower and bell?” Town of Peru Parks personnel put the fifteen-foot high tower and bell in place this past Tuesday, August 10th. 

The bell atop the tower recalls a time in Peru’s mid-19th century history when the Heyworth family operated a woolen mill, a starch mill, and then a sawmill in what is today Heyworth Mason Park. Someone rang the bell when it was time for the workers to take their lunch break. The bell was at the Heyworth house at today’s Grand Union Plaza entrance. 

Town Councilman Rick Barber, a Heyworth family descendant, donated the bell to the Town of Peru. He had always wanted it to be in an appropriate place. What better place than beautiful Heyworth Mason Park? 

Peru Welding and Machine assembled and welded the tower and K & S Bodyworks in Peru sandblasted, primed and painted the tower. J. Hogan Refrigeration and Mechanical in Peru donated the majority of the steel.