Museum plans display for courthouse lawn

If everything goes to plan, a hydraulic mining giant will be sitting atop a cement pedestal in the front lawn of the courthouse in Superior by the end of June.

Sue Mclees from the Mineral County Museum said that the giant, or water cannon, which miners used to wash the gravel down into a flume where the gold was then caught, said she's had the idea of setting up the display, which would also feature a large gold pan and mining tools, for a couple of years now.

"It was just a hair-brained idea of mine that we need something showing the tourists and the people that move here what made Mineral County," Mclees said. "I think it's important to have something like that because that's what started Mineral County and I think it would be a neat addition to the courthouse."

The county commissioners have already given Mclees and the museum the go ahead. The museum is actually planning for two pedestals to sit out on the court house lawn across from one another, one featuring mining and the other highlighting logging. Mclees said that the pedestals would be approximately ten feet wide and about six feet tall, divided into three levels, each one about twenty inches high and the same cutting inward so people would be able to sit around the display. Mclees said a large two-man saw would sit atop the logging pedestal along with other relevant items. The giant itself was donated to the museum around five year ago and was used in the Quartz Creek area.

At present, Mclees said that she has sent her sketch to a gentleman to get an estimate of what the project could cost. She said that they will be looking to supplement the cost with donations, volunteered materials and time from individuals. Mclees said that she believes that there is probably funding available and that it just needs to be found.

Also for fundraising, the museum is selling bricks from the old jail, as well as new bricks, that will be etched to person's liking and used within the display. Mclees said that the bricks are $27. An individual can also bring in their own brick if they choose and it would be a cost of $25. Paving stones, in sizes of 8x8, 8x12 or 12x12, are also available. Individuals who are interested can contact the museum to start ordering their bricks now. They cannot send them into be etched until they have 20 orders.

Mclees said she has also talked with the gentlemen about attractive ways to make the cement appear nice so it's not just "a gray cement block" out on the courthouse lawn. She said she is a bit worried about the funding as times are tough, but feels that there are options out there.

"I guess my main thing is waiting to see what it would actually cost of we had to pay for the whole thing ourselves and not get volunteers or anything," she said.

Individuals interested in the project and who would like to be involved can contact the museum at 822-3543, Mclees at 822-4974 or by emailing mchs1976@blackfoot.net.