Freedom Rock nears completion

By Caroline Rosacker

In the fall of 2015, area veteran Stan Blair of Guttenberg approached patriotic mural artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen of Greenfield about the placement of a Freedom Rock^® in Clayton County. 

In November 2018 the Freedom Rock Committee comprised of area veterans Bob Moser, Carson Palmer, Dick Eilers, Fred Schaffer, Jim Egleseder, Nancy McClellan, Owen Sylvester, Stan Blair and Wendy Kuhse, set Clayton County's Freedom Rock on the peninsula at Limbeck Pond, (commonly known as Horseshoe Pond) along Highway 52 north. 

Since that time the expanding veterans group has continued to further enhance the Freedom Rock area. "The City of Guttenberg hired Friedlein Excavating to remove the bridge last fall. In early April, Friedlein returned to the site and dug the footings," Blair reported, "Short Concrete poured the cement for the footings for the large cement blocks on the site. Friedlein then replaced the bridge which is now three feet higher than it was previously, and backfilled the area.

"Following the bridge replacement project, Willie Construction was hired to form and pour a handicap accessible walkway beginning at the swimming pool parking lot to the bridge, and extending from the bridge to and around the Freedom Rock. Friedlein Excavating assisted in hauling in several loads of black dirt and leveling it off," he explained.

"Bob Hinzman, of Guttenberg, volunteered his time, and tilled, fertilized and seeded our grass," he noted. "Due to the steep slope next to the bridge we laid two pallets, 700 square feet, of sod in that area." 

"Numerous hours and many days were spent watering the new grass seed and sod, which needed watering every day the first week, then twice a week for four more weeks. We also had to water during dry spells," said the dedicated volunteer. "We are thankful t0 Bob Gilkes for loaning us his water pump. We were able to pump water out of the pond, and with two sprinklers going, we cut the time down to three hours a day to water. When the grass got high enough I started mowing the entire area. Now the city will be mowing the park on Horseshoe Pond."

In June, the Freedom Rock Committee was gifted with a welcome surprise, "The Clinton brothers from Communia donated a gazebo/roof over the Freedom Rock. Devere Clinton and the contractor met with our group at the rock. We all agreed what was to be built. The five brothers' construction company erected the structure," Blair told The Press, "Stan Rodamaker of Guttenberg built the railing on the sidewalk and bridge, and our veterans group helped with the installation." 

"The Eiler brothers of Guttenberg donated two flag poles, which our group installed, and Steve Pape of Guttenberg donated two flags that were raised on July 2," he proudly shared. "We still have to lay the paver and the decorative stone, run some electricity and add some lighting, all furnished by the City of Guttenberg." The Freedom Rock project has been funded utilizing grants, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts. "The project costs will probably be somewhere around $45,000 by the time it is done. We are grateful for all the grants, donations, selling of pavers, in-kind help/donations, and volunteer time," he concluded.