For whom the distance tolls: Idaho Liberty Bell accumulates nearly 4,500 miles with Coeur d’Alene visit

By the time Idaho’s Liberty Bell arrived in Coeur d’Alene, the odometer on the truck towing it showed 4,504 miles.

“There were 16 miles on this truck when we got it,” said Evan Snow, who’s spent the past couple months driving the Liberty Bell around the Gem State. “It’s been awesome.”

Late Tuesday afternoon marked the Idaho Liberty Bell’s fourth and final stop of the day. As orange leaves fell from the nearby trees and the waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene sat calmly out in the distance, people braved the cold to visit the bell at Military Memorial.

Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth, who has now accompanied the bell in every part of the state, was in Tuesday’s crowd in Coeur d’Alene wearing a cowboy hat and a sturdy pair of gloves. 

She said the brand of truck being used now to tour the bell, a Ford, was used when the Liberty Bell toured the state in 1951. 

“This is beautiful. It’s really humbling,” she said. “The story’s not about me. It’s about everybody here.”

Ellsworth was also with the bell Tuesday morning in Bonners Ferry. She said there were “lines and lines of children coming in.”

“How it all came together, it’s just so tangible,” she said. “If you want to have a meaningful memory about America’s 250th birthday, it’s the Liberty Bell.” 

Tuesday’s visit attracted visitors both young and old.

Even some historical figures. 

Dressed as President George Washington, Dr. William H. Sammond, president of the Treaty Rock Chapter of the Idaho Society of the Sons of the American Revolution of Post Falls, gave cheerful praise of the bell’s visit to Coeur d’Alene.

“I haven’t seen the bell since my birthday 200 years ago,” he said. “When you ring the bell, let freedom ring. … We need to be united!”

Kathy Swanson, regent of the Lt. George Farragut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said the bell visit is planting the seed of patriotism in the heart of the community.

“We’re grateful we can see it in person,” she said. “It’s a chance for America to embrace its 250th anniversary." 

Also paying a visit to the bell Tuesday was Idaho State Historical Society District One Trustee Don Pischner. He was impressed with how the bell tour came together.

“To make the effort to take it all around the state, it’s quite a feat,” he said. “When you think about it, how did they even insure it?”

Even the younger generation had some thoughts on the bell, which was cast in 1950 as a replica of the original Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. 

Lauren Wilhite, a student currently studying U.S. history in Coeur d’Alene, spoke of the bell’s importance.

“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “It’s really cool to learn about all of our history.”

LIBERTY BELL’S NEXT STOPS

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Wallace — High School

9:35 a.m. - 10:05 a.m. (PST)

Kellogg — Silver Valley Fire Station 1

11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (PST)

Pinehurst — Elementary School

12:25 p.m. - 12:55 p.m. (PST)

St. Maries — Eleanor Park

3:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. (PST)

Thursday, Oct. 29

Bovill — Opera House/Community Center

10:20 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. (PST)

Kendrick — City Park

12:05 p.m. - 12:35 p.m. (PST)

Julietta — Elementary School

1:40 p.m. - 2:10 p.m. (PST)

    Dr. William H. Sammond, president of the Treaty Rock Chapter of the Idaho Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, dressed as President George Washington, basks in the presence of the Idaho Liberty Bell during its visit to Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
  

    Idaho State Treasurer Julie A. Ellsworth and Idaho State Historical Society District One Trustee Don Pischner congregate at the Idaho Liberty Bell's visit to Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
  

    Stephanie Keaty, a member of the Lt. George Farragut Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, takes a photo of the Idaho Liberty Bell in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
  

    A close-up of the Idaho Liberty Bell in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.
  

    People gather in Coeur d'Alene to visit the Idaho Liberty Bell on Tuesday.