The local opening of the Independence Bond Drive was marked by the ringing of a replica of the Liberty Bell in Sandusky on May 20, 1950. The New York Times reported on March 28, 1950 that John W. Snyder, the Secretary of the Treasury announced that the replicas of the Liberty Bells, which were cast in France, would be of the same size, shape and tone as the original Liberty Bell, before it was cracked. The U.S Savings Bond campaign ran from May 15 to July 4. The replicas of the bells were mounted on trucks, and sent to each of the forty eight states, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The first replica was poured on March 1, 1950, from detailed photographs and measurements taken by Professor Arthur Bigelow of Princeton.
Reinhardt Ausmus, local Veterans’ Service officer was in charge of local arrangements. Members of the Commodore Denig Post of the American Legion were designated as guards of honor for the Liberty Bell while in Sandusky. A parade was held on Saturday, May 20, beginning at the corner of Hayes Avenue and Perkins Avenue, and then proceeding to the Courthouse where it was to be on exhibit.
Frank Nims is pictured above, with his hand extended toward the replica of the Liberty Bell. Mr. Nims, who was blind, was the operator of the Erie County Courthouse concession stand for twenty two years.
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Although I can't recall it, I'm sure I was at the event to see the replica Liberty Bell, as "Reiney" Ausmus was our next-door neighbor. My parents, and Reiney and his wife, were in each other's wedding parties in the 1920's. Ed Daniel Rockville, MD
Thank you for mentioning Mr. Nimms. I remembered him from the concession stand at the courthouse but could not remember his name.
My grandfather Francis Coll also pictured was the truck driver chosen to drive for the Liberty Bell bond drive. He drove throughout Ohio making many stops. Francis worked for the Norwalk Truck Lines and was the Ann Arbor, Mi. terminal manager. Tim Coll Wauseon, Oh.
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