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The bell for the Old Capitol was installed in 1847, and it was mainly used for the University of Iowa when Iowa's capitol was relocated and the University moved in. The bell was rung for classes or in remembrance of historical tragedies, like 9/11 or after the assassination of President Lincoln. It had stood strong in the building until the fire of 2001 in the Old Capitol Building. The fire had engulfed the building and caused the destruction of the bell. When the fire was put out by thousands of gallons of water, it caused great damage from the fire and water to the building. Luckily, the fire was contained by the firewall that was built in the 1920s.