Mahanay Bell Tower – Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower

Tower Open by Appt.

As families and friends gather for the holidays, the Mahanay Bell Tower may be one of those memorable places to experience. The Tower is closed for the season but tours can be arranged by appointment by calling The Welcome Center at 515-386-2155. The Bell Tower staff will be happy to meet you at the Tower and give a special tour.

The Christmas bells have been hung in the Paul Nally Observation Deck and are a beacon to those coming into the community. The bells continue to play the Westminster Chimes at each quarter hour and two songs after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm.

Greene County Foundation Grant

Thanks to a Greene County Community Foundation Grant, the Bell Tower Foundation was able to continue to market the Mahanay Bell Tower this past year with billboards on Hwy. 30, Hwy. 144 & Hwy. 4. Several of the billboards announced the Tower as Rural Iowa’s #1 Attraction for 2021.

These well-traveled roads have brought many visitors to Jefferson and the Mahanay Bell Tower again during 2022. The Bell Tower Foundation submitted a grant for this marketing because hotel/motel tax from the previous year of COVID was not available.

The Board of Directors of the Bell Tower Foundation and the many visitors who enjoyed the Tower are grateful for this award.

Bells Are Ringing!

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon is ringing again! The problem with the controller has been fixed by the Verdin Company of Ohio and the bells can now chime. Each hour and quarter hour, the bells play the Westminster Chimes. Two songs are played several minutes after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm. Visitors love hearing the bells ring and the community is glad to hear them again too!

Visit the Mahanay Bell Tower!

The Mahanay Bell Tower is now open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. Our friendly staff will share the story of Floyd and Dora Mahanay in our lovely lobby area. An elevator will take you to the Paul Nally Observation deck which is all enclosed with glass and air-conditioned, so easy for visitors to see the magnificent view. The Iowa countryside, Jefferson downtown, and installations of rooftop art are enjoyed by all ages. The 47 bell carillon plays throughout the day. The Westminster chimes are played each quarter hour and two songs are played after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm. Jefferson’s downtown is full of art and very pedestrian-friendly, so plan to spend the day!

Adults are just $3 and all youth age 18 and younger are free courtesy of our sponsor for 2022, the Dean & Lois McAtee Trust.