January 26, 2012
Stone Bank milepost
As the late Etta James sang: “AT LAST.”
Late today, stone mason Joe Whetter finished dismantling the back 20 feet of the Stone Bank building on Bottineau’s Main Street. Bravo!
Joe and his crew have been removing stone since the week of Nov. 18.
The Stone Bank in Bottineau is 20 feet shorter -- temporarily. The door in the
foreground is propped about where it used to be. At right, the stack of red sandstone
shows where a window was removed.
What a great way to begin 2012! We have made great progress on saving this wonderful structure from the wrecking ball — but we won’t stop there.
Our plan for 2012 is to raise the money to put a proper foundation under this section of the building and then put it back up — stone by stone. But this time the building will include a handicapped entrance at the rear of the building.
This is the section of the bank that was dismantled. Extensive water damage
to the building's roof and back wall made it necessary to take it apart to save it.
Touchstones — the nonprofit working to restore this wonderful, historic building — will have its hands full raising the money for the rebuilding process. Can you help? Click the PayPal link on our homepage http://www.stonebank.org or send us a check! Every nickle will help. And the IRS has approved our 501 (c) (3) status! So anything you give is completely tax deductible.
It’s a great day for the Stone Bank project — why not make it an even better day with your contribution?
This view, looking toward Main Street shows the interior stone wall left standing.
The white flap at top is the edge of the new membrane roof that covers the front two-thirds of the building. Below it, a temporary wall closes the building to the elements.
Thanks to our intrepid stone mason and his crew and to Scott Wagar for the up-to-date photos.
Happy New Year!
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