The campanile was constructed in 1897 as a memorial to Margaret MacDonald Stanton, Iowa State's first dean of women, who died on July 25, 1895.

The site was selected by Margaret's husband, Edgar W. Stanton, with the help of then-university president William M. Beardshear.

In 1991, budget cuts at Iowa State and the Music Department was not able to fund a replacement for the carillon position following the retirement of Professor Richard von Grabow.

By September 24, Ames residents, students, faculty and alumni had donated $10,700 to the "Bucks for Bells" campaign and McCloud emerged.

The next morning, two ISU Alumni, Jean and Michael Steffenson, offered a leadership gift for the Campanile renovation.

[4] In a December 1991, letter to President Jischke, an anonymous donor expressed hope that the Campanile would never again reach a point of serious deterioration.

The donor contributed $1 million to permanently endow the Campanile and assure that funding would be available for future upkeep.

The playing cabin was renovated by Walker Metzger Architects and included, wood paneling for the walls, and a ceiling treatment.