The planned upgrades to the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson are nearing the final stretch on the road to completion. Only 18 bells are left to be cast, and 9 bells in the tower currently need strikers to be cast. The Verdin Company, based out of Ohio, has worked on the maintenance and upgrades for the tower since 1962 and is preparing to cast the final bells and strikers needed. Greene County Engineer Wade Weiss explains the full plan for the upgrade.
While the tower is being readied, the final bells and bell preparation will be performed by next spring.
Currently there are 15 bells on display in the Greene County Courthouse waiting to be placed. Once the tower is completed, it will be a 47-bell, four-octave carillon, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The bell tower is open for visits through Labor Day daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
