A brief history of Bevin Bells

EAST HAMPTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- The Bevin Brothers Manufacturing Company was founded in 1832 and it is the only remaining bell factory in the United States.

According to American Profile , the company's 19 employees produce, market and sell 1.2 million bells annually in 200 varieties, including call bells, door bells, dinner bells, ice cream bells, commemorative wedding and anniversary bells, and trip gongs that are used in prize fights and the mining industries.

The article reports that Bevin Brothers has made more than 750 million bells during it's nearly 180 years in business.

The business is currently owned by Matt Bevin, the sixth generation to run the family business.

Bevin Brothers was reported to made the first bicycle bells, as well as the first foot bell ever used in an automobile. It was patented in 1897. Info from http://bevinbells.com/

According to a NPR interview with Matt Bevin, the company makes all the bells for the Salvation Army. Bevin Bells also have a special spot in the history books. A Bevin Bell once signaled the start and finish at the New York Stock Exchange and they used to signal the rounds of championship boxing matches. A Bevin Bell went down with the Maine, an American battleship that was sunk during the Spanish-American War. Click here to read the full interview.

Maybe the most notable bell was featured in the holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life."

Thanks to the factory's success, East Hampton is known as "Belltown USA." Click here to learn more.