Victor: Thanks for the explanation and history on the posts. It would be nice to see that history written somewhere. Displaying one of the original posts is a good idea. What about placing it at the “dead end” of the Riverwalk by the Second Street bridge? Pictures of the original bridge could be included. Maybe even a picure of our dear Bob.

(I cannot help but wonder that if Bob were still here we might have heard the history sooner. :))

Some years later these unwieldy posts were no longer wanted by their purchaser who I understand had some idea - actually his wife’s - for an ornamental addition of sorts to their backyard (none of you would have approved I’m sure) - but as fate might have it, their appeal to the Faribautonian faded too… and like the fabled artifacts of the Mummies Tomb, slipped silently back onto the market.

I’d like to tell you of dark passage up the Cannon and a freighter, unloading late at night with shadowy figures lurking nearby… but alas… no less a personage than Bob Jacobsen, hoping to do another good deed on behalf of the City of Northfield, re acquired them and had them trucked back to Northfield in daylight… to stand quietly in a garage somewhere on the west side.

Bob’s hope was that the veterans groups might use these artifacts of Northfield history in their design of Veterans Memorial Park… which at that time was intended for the still undeveloped Riverside Park down by the Kump Site adjacent to the Second Street Bridge - now The Crossing.

About four years ago, the City’s employed esthetic visionary, Howard Merriam, now dismissed in an unfortunate salary realignment - which by the way was one of the recent issues: to go… or not to go… to the State Auditor -ah but that’s another thread….

In any event, Howard and a design consultant from DSU, John Slack… engaged Spenser Jones to design access gateways to the Cannon River from Division Street as part of the Streetscape Plan.

There was I’m sure a slight stir in design circles while these Cast Iron icons were considered for part of what appears on the sidewalks today. I suspect that height and the need for more than four of these (there’s at least a third pair intended) along with the difficult practicality of actually blending these originals into the contemporary design, dealt the death knell to the idea… but it had been planted, and in Spenser’s design - a spin off of the original posts, is obvious… if you have the background knowledge. Drinking at the Contented Cow isa source for more than rumor.

To make this a more workable idea for public understanding, perhaps one of these originals could be sited somewhere in Bridge Square with an appropriate plaque that would attest to its source and how these were the inspiration for the defining the gateways to the river walk that indeed do grace Division Street.

As to quality of artistic design… I only hope all of you who could not hold your remarks about what you saw or failed to see… never have to have Mr Jones judge your babies at the Rice County Fair.

FYI these were passed on by a variety of artsy types… which it is clear none of you were involved with. And, why, pray tell do you never end a sentence with a preposition?

I heard the other day (at the Cow, no less) that the posts of the arches are designed based on the piers that supported the historic 2nd Street Bridge.

As my wife said upon hearing this news, “Now I like them much better”.

It’s that old Paul Hawken theory (from his 1983 book, The Next Economy) about adding information to the product to increase its value to the consumer.

Be sure to read the “label” on the arches.

Ross

It’s funny the way we can make room for hundreds of vehicles, bridges and arches and flags and outdoor dining, but not one place for a little human talent.
Much of classic architecture and design was made for eternity. We Americans seem to have a short term approach to things we build. Just look at all the older homes, buildings, etc. that have been carted off or destroyed just to make room for more freeways and parking lots. We then turn around in 20 or 30 years and tear it all down again. We seem to have such a short term approach to developement rather than a long term. If we can’t get there in a few minutes, have to walk more than a few steps or be able to consume something immediately, we don’t want to be bothered with it. Our attention span is more easily measured in seconds rather than hours. And we drive ourselves at breakneck speeds just to have a little more leisure time to be passively entertained. I refer to us as the micro-wave society. I have a friend who told me many years ago that he didn’t realize how long a minute was until he got a micro-wave. Good design and creativity require time and patience.

But, back to the arches, they really don’t bother me. I might have done something different, but that is really not important. I was not involved with them. Now that we have them, I’m certainly not going to second guess their conception or execution. And, I think Victor is probably correct. They were built with money that could not have been applied to some other project.

As far as being like European cities, those cities were built more like 300 or 400 to 1500 years ago. Northfield is coming up on 150 yrs. I’m not sure that is a fair comparison, but that thought opens up another whole stream. Those cities were built around foot traffic, and they remain largely unchanged. The Europeans seem to be more used to changing their lifestyle to fit into their surroundings. We Americans have more of a tendency to change our surroundings to fit into our lifestyle, hence all the comments on the bicycle theme on this site. Some people would actually call this “progress”.

“The arches, located just south of The Contented Cow and between Archer House and the Nutting Block, were designed by Northfielder Spencer Jones. Dundas metalworker Wade Kolbe fabricated the pieces.”

1. As an artist I appreciate constructive criticism. I don’t
know who the artist is on the post project, and that is a shame,
but I don’t think he or she had full control of the project.

2. Have something else going on down by the river, like kid’s
puppet shows, strolling minstrels, roasted almonds, some
hot cider, a kiosk that tells what else is going on downtown.
Make it an adventure. Look at the European cities, they all have
something to go to see beside the river. You have to spend money
to make money.

3. I would have spent some of the $28,000 on collectable cards
that would send people to the river, with a map on the back
and maybe a sponsor ad message to help pay the cost. See my
post # 48.

Have a great day y’all!

Northfield, Mn
Cannon River Walk
Join the Fun!

on the back, a map and locations to entry

approx. 4 x 8 inches

David, re: the poll results thus far, be cautious about them. It’s only a straw poll.

From Suzy Rook’s article:

The arches’ support poles may soon become a familiar sight. Walinski said the same design may be reused for the wayfinding signs, also planned for downtown. The first of those signs should go up on Division Street by early next month, Walinski said. The city will invite comment on that sign, its design and effectiveness in directing visitors to various locations throughout downtown.

Anyone have details on how this feedback process will work? Maybe the arches will make more sense once the wayfinding signs are in place.

With all the whoa about historic preservation, I would like to know what historic relevance the design has in the context of DT Northfield. Don’t get me wrong I like historic designation.

Also after learning about the changes after the fact, does the actual final product reflect what some thought they were approving/endorsing vs the actual built. It would seem not except for the bridge type design on top.

Being 12,000 each, I would like to know why my tax dollors are spent in such a way!

My son is currently working on a streetscape design for a small town in N. Dakota. I know that his research into the local history of the town and his interviews with that city council are a basis for his concept. I’m assuming that that type of research was done here, since this is part of a plan laid out by a licensed Landscape Architect.