Tower’s 50th coming into view

By ANDREW MCGINN
a.mcginn@beeherald.com

In planning for the 50th anniversary next year of Jefferson’s most visible landmark, the foundation that looks after the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower wants to put the tower’s best face forward — and not just the semi-creepy life mask of Floyd Mahanay that hangs in the tower lobby.

Peg Raney on Monday visited the Greene County board of supervisors on behalf of the Bell Tower Community Foundation about replacing broken ceramic wall tile in the entryway of the tower.

The board of supervisors is tasked with maintenance of the modern, 14-story tower, which was dedicated in October 1966.

A section of gray tile four and a half feet wide and about 20 feet tall is cracked, Raney told supervisors, and needs to be replaced at a cost of more than $5,400.

New tile would be blue to match the lobby wall (the spot where Mr. Mahanay’s visage hangs).

The foundation obtained an estimate for tile, adhesive and grout, plus labor, from Tri-County Lumber.

“For years, it’s been an issue,” county Engineer Wade Weiss acknowledged. “It just needs to be taken care of, and this is the way to do it.”

Supervisors on Monday took no action, but seemed willing to do their part in sprucing up the tower.

“It’s a tremendous asset to the county, and something that has become a landmark,” Supervisor Guy Richardson said.

Raney also asked supervisors to replace a ceiling fan in disrepair in the lobby at a cost of $277.

Additional items needed to improve the tower experience, according to Raney, are being sought with a grant request to the Greene County Community Foundation.

The community foundation will announce its annual grant recipients later this month.

The Bell Tower Community Foundation is hoping to get a new glass display case, a new podium, a new brochure rack and shirts for staff commemorating the tower’s 50th anniversary.

Additionally, Raney said, a new iPad Mini would allow the tower to accept credit cards — a frequent request of tour groups.

Tour guide coordinator Pat Richards also spoke to the supervisors, providing a firsthand assessment of who, exactly, is visiting the 168-foot-2-inch tower.

Lincoln Highway travelers are increasingly stopping for a look, Richards said, as are cyclists from the nearby bike trail.

People who own time-shares at Lake Panorama also are frequent visitors, in addition to European tourists in RVs.

Anyone interested in visiting more than once will be able to purchase a season pass for the first time beginning in May, when the tower officially opens for the season.

A season pass will cost $15, according to Raney. One-time admission is $3.

“They can come to the tower as often as they want,” she said.

Through a gift from Jefferson Telecom, kids 18 and younger will once again be able to take a ride to the observation deck for free all season long.

The top of the tower also is now available to rent, for everything from birthday parties to weddings.

With a view of five counties, the late Floyd Mahanay, a traveling medical supply salesman from Jefferson, initially envisioned the chiming tower in 1939.

He died in 1947.

Following his wife’s death in 1962, the bulk of his estate went to the city to construct the tower.

Construction began in August 1965, and was done at a cost of $350,000.

Despite disparaging comments through the years — early critics dissed it as a “singing silo” — the tower now boasts arguably the best view of a county on the upswing.

“We’re a gateway to everything we have to offer,” Richards said.