UIUC is building a bell tower in the south quad.
The tower was funded by H. Richard McFarland, a 1952 UIUC graduate and owner of McFarland Foods Corporation [1], in memory of his wife Sally [2]. Right now it is an ugly and imposing mass of gray concrete, but it will eventually reach 185 feet, be painted to match the surrounding buildings, and contain 49 bells controllable by computer or keyboard [3]. Opinion is mixed, though I agree with others that it looks like the Tower of Barad-dûr from Lord of the Rings.
Since July 13, I have taken weekly pictures of the construction progress.
Not much has happened since the scaffolding came off, but I will add to the gallery (and the animation) as soon as construction continues.
Josh Says:
Brettly,
I think this needs some updatin…