PORT ANGELES — After months of silence, the iconic bell in the Clallam County Courthouse clock tower is once again ringing loud and clear, thanks to the efforts of local craftsmen and county staff.

The bell, which had been out of service for about six months, fell quiet due to a broken gear — a 111-year-old part that finally lost some of its teeth. Clallam County Parks, Fair and Facilities Director Don Crawford said given the unique nature of the mechanism, there were no off-the-shelf replacements available. That’s when the county’s facilities team turned to Angeles Machine Works, a local metal fabrication shop, for help.

The repair required designing and fabricating a custom replacement gear, a process that took time but proved successful. With the new part now installed, the clock tower is back in action — just in time for the upcoming celebrations of the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The local commemoration is set for April 19.

As part of the event, two blue lights will shine from the tower, adding a special visual tribute to the historical occasion.