Erin Hut, Communications Director, ehut@spokanecity.org
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 9:05 a.m.
After more than a decade of silence, the Great Northern Clocktower chimes will ring once again. The return of one of Spokane’s most cherished traditions comes just in time for the Fourth of July.
Restoring the chimes was a personal priority for Mayor Lisa Brown after she learned that the Clocktower’s system had been out of service for years. Surprised that such an important piece of the city’s history had fallen silent, the mayor challenged City staff to restore the chimes in time for Spokane’s America 250 celebration.
“The sound of the Clocktower has been part of Spokane’s soundtrack,” Mayor Brown said. “When I learned the chimes had been silent for so long, I knew we needed to bring them back. America’s 250th birthday felt like the perfect moment to restore a tradition that connects us to our history.”
The clocktower was originally constructed as part of the Great Northern Railway Depot and has stood as one of Spokane’s most recognizable landmarks since it was preserved during the development of Expo ‘74. While it did not originally have a bell or chime system, a carillon was installed ahead of the World’s Fair thanks to the work of Betty Castle.
Castle, with the help of local organizations and businesses, donated and installed the 48-bell carillon as a “living memorial” to her late husband, George. Mylar rolls guided the original carillon like a player piano and each roll had six songs, including several local college fight songs.
The remnants of the original carillon still sit in the clocktower today. When it needed a replacement in 1998, the Spokane Parks Foundation stepped up to cover the installation costs for an electronic system.
A complete replacement was once again needed, and a new electronic system has now been installed. The cost was covered by remaining funds from the Expo +50 anniversary fund through the Innovia Foundation.
A rededication ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 11:30 a.m. The chimes will ring once again starting at 12:00 p.m.
From then forward, single short chimes will ring daily, every hour between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The noon ring will have a longer, 30-second chime. Spokane Parks and Recreation will also change the 12 p.m. chime seasonally.
“I am so incredibly grateful to all of those who have helped bring the Clocktower chimes back to life,” Mayor Brown said. “I hope everyone take a moment this Fourth of July to pause, listen, and enjoy the return of a sound that has been missed for far too long.”
In Spokane
We All Belong
