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The bottom brick part is the tower. It dates to 1750-1753. The current steeple (wooden part) dates to 1828. It replaced an earlier steeple torn down in 1781.
It fell into disrepair. The Pennsylvania legislature mentioned "...the ruinuous Condition of the State-house steeple" in 1774. In 1781, that decayed steeple was torn down.
It is 168 feet and 7 1/4" tall.
There are 10 levels.
1 - Tower Stairhall 2 - Pendulum Room and Caretaker's Apartment 3 - Clock Room 4 - Steeple Beginning 5 - Dial Room 6 - Observation Landing 7 - Cupola 8 - Roof of the Cupola 9 - Lantern 10 - Spire In 1752, Franklin's invention of a lightning rod was added to the tower. Remnants of it are still visible in the walls of Level 2.
Yes, the evidence suggests there was a fire in the caretaker's apartment on Level 2.
Workmen hoisted the bells on a block and tackle through a hole cut through the floor of each level.
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Last updated: August 12, 2022