Burns Tower

Robert E. Burns Tower

The first thoughts for a Gothic Tower on the Pacific campus were initiated in 1958. The idea took tangible form later when Robert R. Winterberg, financial vice president, completed a study on the need for a campus water tower to accomplish monthly savings on water purchased from the California Water Company. By incorporating a water storage tank in such a tower, a multipurpose building could result. The Tower was dedicated on March 8, 1964.

Howard G. Bissell, campus architect for more than 40 years, and Glen H. Mortenson, Stockton architect, worked as joint architects on the project. Special challenges had to be met in its design since this was unique among towers, campaniles or similar structures on campuses around the world. Most towers are built for architectural effect with no practical use except for bells, clocks or observation purposes. In contrast, the Robert E. Burns Tower was constructed to include these effects plus serving as an office building and a water tower.

The Tower was named by the Board of Regents in honor of the first alumnus to serve as presidents of the University and in recognition of his long service and great influence on its progress. Dr. Burns served as president for 25 years and spent his entire career at the University. He first became associated with Pacific as a student in 1927.

From the basement floor (14 feet below ground level) to the top of a 91-foot radio antenna, the total tower height is 256½ feet. Carrillon tones are heard through eight weatherproof stentor reproducers 155 feet off the ground. The 150,000-gallon water tank behind the stained glass windows weighs 1,200,000 pounds filled.

Interior floodlights reflect off the tank to illuminate the windows at night.
Built of reinforced concrete, the Tower is painted to match the terra cotta trim of other campus buildings. Walls are eight inches thick. The Tower is 30-feet square inside. Construction required 40,000 man hours, skills of 25 different building crafts, 200,000 pounds of reinforced steel and 6,000,000 pounds of concrete.

The Carillon of Faith

A total of 122 miniature bell units of bronze bell metal, including 61 Flemish bells and 61 harp bells, are played from a key-board located in the Tower lobby. The two-manual console has expression pedals for Harp Bells, Flemish Bass Bells and Flemish Treble Bells.

When the bells are struck by metal hammers, exact true bell tones are produced which are almost inaudible to the human ear. These bell vibrations are amplified over one million times by specially designed electronic equipment to produce true bell music with all the depth and richness or traditional cast bells of massive proportions. The carillon provides the tonal equivalent of over 100,000 pounds of cast bells, tuned to the finest standards.

Through use of a special device called a “Melody Player,” the strains of the University’s alma mater, “Pacific Hail,” are heard each evening at 11:00 o’clock; the bells also can be heard at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The bells sound the traditional Westminster Chime and the strike the hours through the day as a public service to the community.

The Carillon of Faith is the gift of Mr. Paul L. Davies of San Jose, in honor of his wife, Faith Crummey Davies ’26. The $30,000 instrument was developed by Schulmerich Carillons, Inc., Sellersville, Pennsylvania.

Donors Recognition

Construction of Robert E. Burns Tower
Principal Donors
Mr. Elbert Covell, Woodbridge, CA
Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers Price, Placerville, CA

Office Furnishing
Principal Donor
Mrs. Winifred Olson Raney,* Turlock, CA
Other Donors
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Miller, Oakland, CA

KUOP-FM Transmitting Equipment
Donors
Miss Marilyn Rabinovich, San Francisco, CA
The Maxwell Galleries, San Francisco, CA

Exterior Lighting
for Gate, Conservatory, Tower and Chapel
Gifts to Memorial for R. L. Eberhardt
Special Gift from Mr. and Mrs. Howard G. Bissell

* Member of Board of Regents