McGraw Tower

McGraw Tower is a masonry clock tower on Cornell University's campus that rises approximately 173 feet and houses 21 bells inside its structure. The bells ring multiple times throughout the day, creating musical sounds that reach across the entire campus.

The structure was built in 1891 as part of the original library complex and was first called Library Tower when it was completed. It received its current name in 1961 in honor of a university founder.

The tower serves as a symbolic center of campus life, where the daily bell music has become woven into the rhythm of student experience over generations. The chime performances create moments of shared listening that connect people across the university.

The best time to experience the bells is during the academic year when regular performances happen throughout the day. The tower can be viewed from outside and the sound carries well across the campus, especially in calm weather conditions.

A large pumpkin appeared atop the tower in 1997 and remained there for over a year, attracting national attention and sparking various theories. The mystery of who placed it and why has never been fully explained.

Location: Ithaca

Part of: Uris Library

GPS coordinates: 42.44757,-76.48505

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:08