Statue proposed for Superior courthouse lawn
A proposal for a new town statue will involve cutting down a tree on the Mineral County Courthouse lawn on the corner of River and Fourth Street. (Kathleen Woodford/Mineral Independent).
Local artist Dennis Althoff designed the statue, right, which is intended to help draw tourists. A public meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. to discuss the project.
Private group would raise funds
By KATHLEEN WOODFORD
Mineral Independent
A small group of Superior citizens presented the idea of installing a new statue on the Mineral County Courthouse lawn during a recent commissioners meeting. Gordon Henrick presented a drawing of the proposed statue and along with Emily Ornelas, described what they hope it will look like.
It is designed by local artisan, Dennis Althoff and will stand approximately 16 feet tall. The proposed drawing of the statue includes a tree trunk with a saw blade on top which will read, “Welcome to Superior” or “Superior Montana”. Below that is a logging chain and elk skull with antlers. An arch featuring railroad ties and rainbow trout sit at the bottom of the tree. A loggers saw, axe and mining car also sit at the bottom of the tree.
“It has all the elements of what Mineral County represents,” said Hendrick as he pointed out the mining, logging, railroad, forest service, fishing and hunting incorporated into the design.
The group is not asking for funding because the statue will be paid for through donations. The group will pay $30,000 to Althoff for his work. They estimate it will take approximately 700 hours of work and Ornelas said they feel that it’s a good deal considering what similar artists get paid for their time.
“We’re trying to make the community more positive and have this be a community effort,” said Hendrick. There was also a discussion with members from the Mineral County Historical Society to possibly sell pavers to put around the statue as part of the fundraising efforts.
The group is proposing to put the statue on the corner of the lawn near the cross streets of River and Fourth. Ornelas said they hope to attract tourists who stop off the freeway to stay in Superior and spend money in the small town. At that location it could draw visitors down the main street of town to local businesses.
However, it would require removing the tree on that corner. Commissioners scheduled a meeting on November 17 at 10 a.m. for public comment regarding the statue’s installation and the tree removal.