Tawau Bell Tower

The Tawau Bell Tower is the oldest standing structure in Tawau, constructed by the Japanese to commemorate the signing of armistice agreement following World War I when Japan was an ally of Great Britain.

History

The bell tower was constructed in 1921 by the Japanese community in North Borneo using prison labour and funds contributed by Japanese businessmen in Tawau. Its bell went missing in a sudden which became a mystery, and there is a legendary story on the missing bell:
As the abandoned structure was recently almost near collapse, it was restored with funds contributed by the Rotary Club of Tawau in 2006.

A bench mark is present in the tower, which shows the town's elevation above sea level, beside being the mark for starting point of the distance to every place. The East Direction leads its way to Dunlop Street, Kuhara Road, Sin On Road and Apas Road; South direction faces the Celebes Sea; West direction to Tg Batu Road; while North direction to North Road and Merotai Road.