The first public school district in Black Hawk County was formed in Cedar Falls in 1853. A 16 x 20 foot schoolhouse was built on a site at Fifth and Main Streets.

In 1854, a bell was purchased for the school with the proceeds of a dinner given by the ladies of the community. The bell was cast by the Meneeley Foundry Company of New York, the same foundry that produced the original bells for the UNI Campanile carillon.

The original schoolhouse was used until 1863, when it was replaced by Jefferson School and the first Lincoln School. The bell was used at Jefferson School and later at the first Humbert School in 1960. When the new Humbert School was built, the bell was kept there for a time. It has since been donated to the Cedar Falls Historical Society.