In 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Florida, the voting age in the United States was lowered from 21 to 18, the Pentagon Papers were published by the New York Times and Campbell’s new city hall was built. It was a historical year globally, nationally and locally.

In Campbell, it was both a year of preservation and of gazing toward the Orchard City’s future. When city hall at 70 N. 1st St. was built, a time capsule was buried beneath the nearby clock tower close to the veterans’ memorial. The capsule will be opened in 2071.

“I’ve gotten quite a few inquiries about when it will be opened,” said Councilman Michael Kotowski, who had previously served on council from 1983 to 1992.

According to minutes from a Feb. 10, 1971 city council meeting, resident Lilyan Brannon asked the city to consider a time capsule to commemorate the city hall’s completion.

In keeping with the time theme, a clock tower was planned for the site as well. According to the Campbell Historical Museum records and archives, the clock tower was cut out of civic center plans due to cost. The Campbell Chamber of Commerce adopted the project and held fundraising events to get the clock erected the same year at city hall.

The cost of the clock was estimated at $5,000. A movie fundraiser geared toward children raised $2,700 and a donation of $1,700 from an anonymous person helped get the clock tower built. The tower was dedicated Sept. 25, 1971.

So what’s in that time capsule?

Mike Williams, a former resident now living in Nevada, told this newspaper over the phone he remembers placing photos in the capsule before it was buried. The 55-year-old is preparing his will and plans to inform his future grandchildren and great-grand-children about what waits for them in the capsule.

Williams said his mom, DeAun Smethurst, was the den mother of his Cub Scout troop that added items to the capsule. The troop of six boys submitted a group photo taken at the Sunnyoaks Fire Station when it first opened in 1969. The scouts also planted a tree by the capsule.

“We were asked to put a photo of us in there,” Smethurst said. “We thought it was pretty neat. Not everyone gets to be in a time capsule.”

Details about the remaining contents of the capsule will remain under wraps until 2071.

As for the future of the clock tower and the civic center, city officials are working on a master plan that will lay the groundwork for a new city hall, library and police headquarters.

In preliminary draft plans, the city has not addressed what it will do with the clock and the capsule. Civic center plans have not been finalized and construction will not begin until the city can fund the project.