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Coordinates: 43°05′31″N 79°04′13″W / 43.0919°N 79.0702°W / 43.0919; -79.0702
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{{Short description|Bell tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada}}
The '''Rainbow Tower''' is a 50.3 m (165 ft) tower located at the Rainbow Plaza [[Canadian border]] station of the [[Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls)|Rainbow Bridge]] in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. Construction on the tower was completed in 1947.
{{Infobox building
| name = Rainbow Tower
| image = Rainbow Carillon Tower.jpg
| image_size = 215px
| caption =
| completion_date = 1947
| building_type = Carillon Tower
| address =
| location = [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]], Canada
| coordinates =
| roof = {{convert|50.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| top_floor =
| antenna_spire =
| floor_area =
| elevator_count = 1
| architect = [[William Lyon Somerville]]
}}

The '''Rainbow Tower''' is a {{convert|50.3|m|ft}} tower located at the Rainbow Plaza [[Canada–United States border]] station of the [[Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls)|Rainbow Bridge]] in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]], Canada. Construction on the tower was completed in 1947. The tower, part of the Canadian plaza of the bridge, was designed by Canadian architect [[William Lyon Somerville]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/1316 |title=Somerville, William Lyon |accessdate=August 23, 2017 |publisher=Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800–1950}}</ref>


==The Rainbow Carillon==
==The Rainbow Carillon==

The Rainbow Tower houses a [[carillon]] -- a [[musical instrument]] consisting of a baton [[Musical keyboard|keyboard]] that controls a series of bells. The '''Rainbow Carillon''' is sounded four times a day, 365 days a year. It features 55 bells with a total weight of over 43 tons. The instrument is controlled via a series of 55 oak batons and 30 foot pedals. The largest bell, called a [[Bourdon (bell)|bourdon]], is {{convert|8|ft|m}} in diameter and {{convert|6.5|ft|m}} tall, weighing in at 10 tons. Musically the pitch of this bell is E. [http://www.gcna.org/data/ONNIFARB.HTM] The smallest bell in the instrument weighs less than {{convert|9|lb|kg}} and has a circumference of {{convert|5.75|in|mm}}.
The Rainbow Tower houses a [[carillon]]—a [[musical instrument]] consisting of a baton [[Musical keyboard|keyboard]] that controls a series of bells. The '''Rainbow Carillon''' is sounded three times a day, 365 days a year. It features 55 bells with a total weight of over 43 tons. The instrument is controlled via a series of 55 oak batons and {{convert|30|ft}} pedals. The largest bell, called a [[Bourdon (bell)|bourdon]], is {{convert|8|ft|m}} in diameter and {{convert|6.5|ft|m}} tall, weighing in at 10 tons. Musically the pitch of this bell is E.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gcna.org/data/ONNIFARB.HTM |title=Onnifarb |accessdate=2006-07-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060621153906/http://gcna.org/data/ONNIFARB.HTM |archivedate=2006-06-21 }}</ref> The smallest bell in the instrument weighs less than {{convert|9|lb|kg}} and has a circumference of {{convert|5.75|in|mm}}.


The bell castings for the Rainbow Carillon were begun in 1941 by [[John Taylor Bellfounders]] of [[Loughborough]], [[England]], but interrupted by the onset of [[World War II]]. Work on the instrument resumed in 1945 and was completed by 1947.
The bell castings for the Rainbow Carillon were begun in 1941 by [[John Taylor Bellfounders]] of [[Loughborough]], [[England]], but interrupted by the onset of [[World War II]]. Work on the instrument resumed in 1945 and was completed by 1947.


When the tower was built it contained a small apartment for the resident musician (the carilloneur). By the mid 1990s the [[Niagara Falls Bridge Commission]] had replaced the resident carilloneur with a fully automated system. The instrument can still be played manually, but is mostly automated to allow for frequent playing. June Somerville, Robert Donnell, and Leland Richardson have served as carillonneurs at the tower. [http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0002574]
When the tower was built it contained a small apartment for the resident [[carillonneur]]. The bells were silenced for renovations from 1998 to 2001 and by 2002,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.niagarafrontier.com/carillon.html|title=Niagara Falls Bridge Commission|website=niagarafrontier.com|access-date=2016-07-30}}</ref> the [[Niagara Falls Bridge Commission]] had replaced the resident carillonneur with a fully automated system. The instrument can still be played manually, but is mostly automated to allow for frequent playing.

==Carillonneurs==

Several Canadians and at least two Americans (Kleinschmidt and Werblow) have served as carillonneurs:

* Robert B. Kleinschmidt (1910-1959) 1948-1959

* John Leland Richardson (1906-1969) 1960-1969

* [[Gordon Slater (carillonneur)|Gordon Frederick Slater]] (1950-) 1972-1975<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/gordon-slater-emc | title=Gordon Slater &#124; the Canadian Encyclopedia }}</ref>

* Robert Donnell (1910-1986) 1975-1976<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-donnell-emc | title=Robert Donnell &#124; the Canadian Encyclopedia }}</ref>

* June Somerville 1976-1992<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thediapason.com/carillon-news-20 | title=Carillon News &#124; the Diapason | date=19 March 2003 }}</ref>

* Gloria Werblow 1986-1998<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.niagarafrontier.com/carillon.html | title=Niagara Falls Bridge Commission }}</ref>


==In film==
==In film==
The Rainbow Tower was featured in the 1953 [[Marilyn Monroe]] thriller ''[[Niagara (1953 film)|Niagara]]''. Scenes were filmed outside the base of the tower, combined with sound stage footage. Incredibly, the long "tracking" shot of Marilyn Monroe was completed in one shot, unheard of in "Three-Strip" Technicolor.
The Rainbow Tower was featured in the 1953 [[Marilyn Monroe]] thriller ''[[Niagara (1953 film)|Niagara]]''. Scenes were filmed outside the base of the tower, combined with sound stage footage. The long "tracking" shot of Marilyn Monroe was completed in one shot, unique in "Three-Strip" Technicolor.

==See also==
* [[List of carillons]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
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[[Category:Towers completed in 1947]]
[[Category:Towers completed in 1947]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Niagara Falls, Ontario]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Niagara Falls, Ontario]]
[[Category:Carillon towers]]
[[Category:Carillons]]
[[Category:Bell towers in Canada]]
[[Category:Bell towers in Canada]]
[[Category:Towers in Ontario]]
[[Category:Towers in Ontario]]

Latest revision as of 02:29, 10 October 2024

Rainbow Tower
Map
General information
TypeCarillon Tower
LocationNiagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Completed1947
Height
Roof50.3 m (165 ft)
Technical details
Lifts/elevators1
Design and construction
Architect(s)William Lyon Somerville

The Rainbow Tower is a 50.3 metres (165 ft) tower located at the Rainbow Plaza Canada–United States border station of the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Construction on the tower was completed in 1947. The tower, part of the Canadian plaza of the bridge, was designed by Canadian architect William Lyon Somerville.[1]

The Rainbow Carillon

[edit]

The Rainbow Tower houses a carillon—a musical instrument consisting of a baton keyboard that controls a series of bells. The Rainbow Carillon is sounded three times a day, 365 days a year. It features 55 bells with a total weight of over 43 tons. The instrument is controlled via a series of 55 oak batons and 30 feet (9.1 m) pedals. The largest bell, called a bourdon, is 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter and 6.5 feet (2.0 m) tall, weighing in at 10 tons. Musically the pitch of this bell is E.[2] The smallest bell in the instrument weighs less than 9 pounds (4.1 kg) and has a circumference of 5.75 inches (146 mm).

The bell castings for the Rainbow Carillon were begun in 1941 by John Taylor Bellfounders of Loughborough, England, but interrupted by the onset of World War II. Work on the instrument resumed in 1945 and was completed by 1947.

When the tower was built it contained a small apartment for the resident carillonneur. The bells were silenced for renovations from 1998 to 2001 and by 2002,[3] the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission had replaced the resident carillonneur with a fully automated system. The instrument can still be played manually, but is mostly automated to allow for frequent playing.

Carillonneurs

[edit]

Several Canadians and at least two Americans (Kleinschmidt and Werblow) have served as carillonneurs:

  • Robert B. Kleinschmidt (1910-1959) 1948-1959
  • John Leland Richardson (1906-1969) 1960-1969
  • Robert Donnell (1910-1986) 1975-1976[5]
  • June Somerville 1976-1992[6]
  • Gloria Werblow 1986-1998[7]

In film

[edit]

The Rainbow Tower was featured in the 1953 Marilyn Monroe thriller Niagara. Scenes were filmed outside the base of the tower, combined with sound stage footage. The long "tracking" shot of Marilyn Monroe was completed in one shot, unique in "Three-Strip" Technicolor.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Somerville, William Lyon". Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800–1950. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  2. ^ "Onnifarb". Archived from the original on 2006-06-21. Retrieved 2006-07-20.
  3. ^ "Niagara Falls Bridge Commission". niagarafrontier.com. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  4. ^ "Gordon Slater | the Canadian Encyclopedia".
  5. ^ "Robert Donnell | the Canadian Encyclopedia".
  6. ^ "Carillon News | the Diapason". 19 March 2003.
  7. ^ "Niagara Falls Bridge Commission".

Sources

[edit]

43°05′31″N 79°04′13″W / 43.0919°N 79.0702°W / 43.0919; -79.0702

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