LAKEPORT, Calif. — Members of the Lakeport Rotary joined with local officials and other community members on Wednesday evening to celebrate the completion of a new monument in Xabatin Park honoring the city’s recently rediscovered historic curfew bell.

The curfew or “hooligan” bell, flanked by new concrete benches and an interpretive sign, now sits near the park’s entrance and faces Clear Lake and Mount Konocti.

Lakeport Rotarian Mark Lipps, the club’s past president, took on the project, which he estimated cost about $25,000.

The bell originally was installed in a pyramid-shaped bell tower which was erected in 1896 in the northwest corner of Courthouse Square, five blocks from the new monument.

That bell tower was removed by 1918, the same year that the Carnegie Library a few blocks away was built.

After its removal, the bell was placed in storage and largely forgotten.

Jim Kennedy, the city of Lakeport’s Public Works superintendent, found the bell sitting on a pallet in a storage yard at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Lipps said it was Kennedy who suggested the bell get a new powder coating treatment, which it now has, giving it a deep brown patina.

Lipps offered thanks to several community partners who assisted Rotary in the project, including Clearlake Redi-MIx, for donating the concrete; businesswoman and Rotarian Jennifer Strong, who he said donated to cover the frame for the bell built by Davis Fabrication; the Lake County Arts Council, for acting as fiscal sponsor for donations; and the Lake County Genealogical Society and Lake County Historical Society for research help.

He also thanked the Lakeport City Council, which gave its seal of approval to the project in June. Mayor Michael Froio, and council members Brandon Disney and Stacey Mattina were on hand for the celebration, along with City Manager Kevin Ingram and City Clerk/Administrative Services Director Kelly Buendia.

The benches include Lakeport Rotary Club plaques, one of which includes the “Four Way Test” of the things Rotarians think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

“We’re making history today,” said current Rotary President Pam Harpster.

There are other historical projects the club is planning as it nears its 100th anniversary on May 5, Harpster said, including placing a time capsule at the park.

“This is just the beginning of some very cool things we’re doing in this park,” Harpster said.

Faith Hornby, who will be the next Lakeport Rotary president, said she’s excited to keep traditions alive and have new ones.

Rotarians took a few turns ringing the bell, as did some children visiting the scene with their parents.

The bell’s sound is strong and sharp, and can be heard across the park.

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