Letter to the Editor: Good work on the rebuilding of the stone walls in Phelps Park and the construction of the bridge at Dunning Springs.

Dunning Springs bridge

(The members of the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission (Adrienne Coffeen, Lois Humpal, Hayley Jackson, Steve Kelsay, Judy van der Linden, Mark Z. Muggli, Diane Scholl) have submitted the following Letter to the Editor):

"As a city government agency focused on preserving our local built history, the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission wants to celebrate the rebuilding of the stone walls in Phelps Park and the construction of the bridge at Dunning Springs. The Phelps Park stonework is an important part of the Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District, and we are pleased that the walls have been reconstructed in their historic form. And the Dunning Springs mortar-free stone bridge, which evokes an earlier bridge at the site, is an amazing addition to the Decorah landscape.

We applaud the impressive artistry of masons John Dingley and Ted Wilson, who led these projects.  We also know that many people from the Park-Rec leadership and board, city government officials, and individual donors deserve individual recognition. But we want here to emphasize the role of Decorah's broader support for historic preservation. Congratulations, Decorah, on two projects that will for many years provide locals and visitors alike a renewed understanding and appreciation for Decorah history."

 

Phelps Park wall