Indiana town dedicates tower toasting its Swiss roots

Residents of a northeastern Indiana town have dedicated a 160-foot-tall clock tower with carved, moving figures.

Berne - Residents of a northeastern Indiana town have dedicated a 160-foot-tall clock tower with carved, moving figures that pay homage to the community's Swiss heritage.

A large crowd gathered Saturday night in Berne to watch the dedication of the new Muensterberg Clock Tower at the end of the town's annual Swiss Days festival.

The four-sided clock tower is a replica of a clock tower in the town's namesake of Bern, Switzerland. Both towers have carved, mechanical figures that emerge at appointed times as part of a glockenspiel show.

The Indiana town about 30 miles south of Fort Wayne was settled by Mennonites from Switzerland. Its new tower is part of a town beautification project costing $3 million that includes new a plaza, fountains and benches.

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