Korean Friendship Bell & Pavillion Korean Bell of Friendship

The "Bell of Friendship" became the Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. 187 in 1978 and was presented as a bronze bell of friendship from the Republic of South Korea to the United States during our bicentennial celebration in 1976 and represented the close relationship of the two nations.

It is the second largest bell ever cast in Korea, the first being from the year 771. That bell and this bell are among the largest in the world. This photo shows the colorful stone pavilion which houses this suspended cast alloy friendship bell located in the Korean-American Peace Park occupying the upper part of the former Upper Reservation of Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California.

Actor Philip Ahn was instrumental in making the bell a reality at San Pedro. He starred in many movies and television shows including Hawaiian Eye, Perry Mason and Kung Fu. He is the first Asian American to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The bell has a height of 12 feet and a diameter of 7 1/2 feet, the walls of the bell are 8 inches thick. Over 17 tons of copper and tin were used in this alloy casting with gold, nickel, lead, phosphorus added for tonal quality. Since 2010, the bell is struck 6 times a year: New Years Day, Korean American Day, Fourth of July, Korean Liberation Day, Constitution Day in early September and on September 11 to commemorate 9/11. The bell does not have a clapper but is rather hand struck with a suspended swinging wooden mallet.

The day I arrived at the monument was one of those picture perfect days in California. No people, yet the sky was bright and blue. I was able to take photos from any angle. The day was so bright that the underside of the pavilion glowed as if portrait lighting had been used. The colors were bright and spectacular, very engaging.  

  The Pavilion           The Bell