Ask The Answer Person: "Who is responsible for maintaining the big stone "DECORAH" sign at the intersection of Highway 9 and Montgomery Street?"

Posted: Thu, May 9, 2019 5:38 PM

Kerry e-mailed The Answer person several weeks ago with this question: "Who is responsible for maintaining the big stone "DECORAH" sign at the intersection of Highway 9 and Montgomery Street? It's a beautiful piece of stonework; one of the best that I have seen at the entrance to any town, but it has been neglected for months and now looks somewhat tawdry, especially at night. All but one of the floodlights are burnt out and the shrubbery that was once trimmed has grown back. Once it gets dark, all anyone can see is "AH". It puts Decorah in a bad light (bad pun intended) and leaves a not-so-good impression when visitors to our town first see it."

The Answer Person replies: "Sorry for the long delay in answering your question, Kerry, but there's been work done to the Decorah sign over the last few weeks.

First of all, the Decorah Parks and Recreation Department, which maintains the sign, appreciated your information about the burnt out floodlights and hired electricians to fix the problem. The Answer Person is happy to report that all letters in 'Decorah' can now be read!

Secondly, Luther College wrestlers and Park Department employees have been trimming bushes and mowing lawn at the welcome sign.

Thanks for your question, Kerry, because it led to work being done so that spring and summer visitors will have a good first impression of Decorah."