Westlake Village considers historical bell

Years ago, in towns between Baja in Mexico and San Francisco, bells were installed by the missions of California called El Camino Real Bells. Through time, the bells deteriorated from poor upkeep or were destroyed from vandalism. There isn’t much left of the bells.

During a recent Westlake Village City Council meeting, the Westlake Women’s Club (representing the California Federation of Women’s Clubs) requested placement of an El Camino Real Bell at a location somewhere in this area to keep in step with revitalization of the bells in California.

"We would love to do it," said Westlake Village City Councilwoman Betty De Santis,"but it has to be put somewhere significant."

De Santis said the bell could become a wonderful landmark for Westlake Village as part of a line of bells along the California coast and inland areas.

The bell was to become a discussion item at a subequent Westlake Village City Council meeting that would address possible location sites and financial arrangements. The bell was initially estimated to cost $1,000.

The council may decide if the city will match a $500 commitment by the women’s club.

If approved, groundbreaking for the bell could happen as early as mid-January, according to a women’s club official.

For more information, call Helene Ross of the Westlake Women’s Club at (805) 496-3787.

––Michael Picarella