Memorial Tower, or the
Campanile as it is sometimes called, is a 175-foot
clock tower in the center of
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 nea ...
's campus in
Baton Rouge,
Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...
, United States. Erected in 1923 and officially dedicated in 1926, it stands as a
memorial to Louisianans who died in
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
.
The Plaza
The
plaza
A town square (or square, plaza, public square, city square, urban square, or ''piazza'') is an open public space, commonly found in the heart of a traditional town but not necessarily a true geometric square, used for community gatherings. ...
area in front of Memorial Tower has served as a place of both ceremony and celebration. The University's annual
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on the plaza and attracts many visitors to the area. In addition, Student Government holds the formal installation for its new President and Vice President each spring. Valentine's Day is especially important for the plaza, as superstition turned tradition says to become an official "LSU student," one must be kissed under the Memorial Tower when the chimes ring at midnight. Those wishing to carry out the tradition today find that the chimes no longer ring after 10 p.m. except for the evening of Valentine's Day.
Upon entering the tower, visitors find the
rotunda of
bronze plaques bearing the names of 1,447 fallen
Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
soldiers, to whom the tower is dedicated. The inside of the tower is also home to a military museum.
The Chimes
Each quarter-hour, the
LSU
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 near ...
community can hear the sound of chimes coming from the bells of the clock tower. The
Westminster Chimes
The Westminster Quarters, from its use at the Palace of Westminster, is a melody used by a set of four quarter bells to mark each quarter-hour. It is also known as the Westminster Chimes, Cambridge Quarters or Cambridge Chimes from its place of ...
are used each day until 10p.m. At noon, the University's
alma mater is played.
See also
*
List of tallest buildings in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is the capital city of Louisiana, in the United States. Situated on the Mississippi River, it is the second-largest city in Louisiana, with New Orleans as the largest Louisiana city. The population sits at 225,362.
In Baton Rou ...
References
External links
Memorial Tower-Campus Map
Towers completed in 1926
Louisiana State University buildings and structures
Clock towers in Louisiana
Bell towers in the United States
Monuments and memorials in Louisiana
1926 establishments in Louisiana
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