Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower

The Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower, standing 172 feet tall on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus, is a prominent landmark featuring a Roman numeral clock and an observation area at its peak. Surrounded by beautifully designed hedges and lawns, the tower was dedicated in 1931 and is named after its benefactors, John Motley Morehead III and Rufus Lenoir Patterson Jr. Originally housing 12 manually operated bells, it now boasts 14 mechanized bells that chime every 15 minutes and play songs during celebrations. A unique tradition involves lighting the tower Carolina blue after each Tar Heel victory, making it a vibrant symbol of school spirit and history for visitors and researchers alike.