7. An Electronic Carillon Was Added to the Belfry of Highbridge Water Tower
In 1958, a five-octave electronic carillon was installed in the belfry of the Highbridge Water Tower. The carillon was donated by the Altman Foundation and put in place in memory of the foundation’s founder, Benjamin Altman. The carillon was a set of bells in the tower that were controlled by a keyboard.
When it was first installed, the carillon had a daily schedule during which it would chime for 10 to 15 minutes at noon and three to five minutes all other times. On Monday through Friday, it would chime at 8 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, it chimed at noon and 6 pm. The carillon has since been removed.