As we see it, the Hummer’s Bell Story is one of Iowa City’s most infamous tales. In 1848-1850, when these events first happened, there was more buzz on the streets of Iowa City about Hummer’s Bell than just about anything else . . . short of the 1849 California Gold Rush! And now, all these years later, it’s still an entertaining story that has regularly been re-told and captured people’s attention both far and wide. And, with the return of Hummer’s Bell to Iowa City – October 5, 2025 – after 175+ years, we believe it timely to re-tell the story once more.

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