A journey through the inner workings of Mueller Tower starts underground and spirals to a platform nearly 84 feet in the air.
Funded through a $90,000 gift by Ralph Mueller, the octagonal-shaped bell tower was dedicated during homecoming festivities in 1949. Mueller believed a modern bell tower — something the university had lacked since the top floors of University Hall were removed in 1925 — would be the perfect gift for his alma mater.
Instead of traditional bells, the tower features an electronic system that broadcasts specialized recordings or songs played live on a keyboard through eight speakers. The idea of the electronic broadcast system (controlled from a small room in the basement of Andrews Hall) appealed to Mueller, who had built a career in the field of electronics.
Facilities Maintenance and Operations oversees operations of the tower and the Embassy Digital Autobell Carillon machine that plays the preprogrammed songs. The system randomly selects music to be played at the top of the hour and at 23 minutes after each hour.
The last song added to the system was “Hedwig’s Theme” from the Harry Potter films. Schulmerich Carillons converted an MP3 file of the song to a specialized Autobell card by for about $350.
The limestone-exterior of Mueller Tower was designed by then-student George Kuska. Mueller selected the design from a competition among advanced level architecture students.
Inside, the tower is lined with red bricks. The ascent to the top starts with an easy eight-foot ladder that leads to a second floor, and finishes with a steep, nearly 60-foot-tall spiral staircase to the top.
Birds and other animals are kept out of the tower by screens that span openings at the top of the tower. The eight speakers — which have reportedly been heard up to 15 miles away — are positioned at the top of the openings.
For more information on the history of Mueller Tower, click here.
