Bell Manufacturing Co history

Bevin Bros. is also credited with inventing the first bicycle bell in 1865, and the first foot bell for the very early horseless carriages.

Established as a partnership in 1866 by H. H. Abbe, E. C. Barton, E. G. Cone and A. H. Conklin The Gong Bell Manufacturing Company began producing bells and toys in the Town of East Hampton, Connecticut.

The first foot bell ever used in an automobile was also produced by Bevin and was patented in 1897.

In 1901, electric power came allowing bell makers to have a reliable source of power.

In 1912, the company was reorganized under Mayo S. Purple, president; Chauncey G. Bevin, vice-president; J. Howell Conklin, secretary; and Clifford M. Watrous, assistant secretary, treasurer, and general manager; and Harold D. Allen, factory manager; and George T. Cavanaugh, superintendant.

An interior view of a Freeland factory in 1914

These officers oversaw the construction of a new, 152’ x 40’ plant on the south side of Walnut Avenue after a fire destroyed the company’s press room and assembling department on January 1, 1916.

In 1921 Gong Bell Manufacturing introduced a Toy Telephone featuring a bell and movable receiver hook.

On December 20, 1973 a massive fire tore through the company’s former plant, destroying a roughly 200’ x 200’ section at its core.