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2001 Most Endangered Properties
Rainbow Arch Bridge, Valley City - 1925 [Mitigation] Valley City has become known as the "City of Bridges," but currently one of its most beautiful and significantly historic bridges is being threatened with demolition. The Rainbow Arch bridge is one of few remaining bridges of its type in the Midwest, and the only one remaining in the entire state of North Dakota. The Marsh Engineering Company of Des Moines, Iowa, who patented the "Rainbow Arch" design in 1912, designed it in 1925. Valley City's Rainbow Arch Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997, and is the only documented bridge in North Dakota that was built according to a patented design. The bridge retains complete design integrity. The Rainbow Arch Bridge is considered too narrow by current highway standards and it rehabilitation or replacement is currently being considered. Nationally renowned bridge engineering experts, A. G. Lichtenstein and Associates Consulting Engineers, or Paramus, NJ were hired by the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of rehabilitating the bridge. They tested the bridge in the summer of 2000, and found that the bridge itself is structurally sound. In fact, it is stronger today than when it was built, and also is stronger than any new bridge that would be built today. The bridge cannot be widened or moved without destroying its functionally and historic integrity.  Federal legislation specifically allows state departments of transportation to approve upgrading of historic bridges that do not meet current guidelines, such as lane width, if they preserve historic and scenic values, and ensure safe use. No fatal accidents have occurred on the bridge since the addition of the guardrails. The bridge serves as a grand entrance into Valley City, while slowing traffic down just enough to allow time to view the buildings on historic Main Street. The "City of Bridges" should not be left without one of its most historic bridges when simple measures can be taken to preserve the bridge and ensure continued use. Get involved and help the community leaders of Valley City save this irreplaceable on-of-a-kind bridge! McLean County Courthouse - 1908 [Saved!] The McLean County Courthouse was designed by the prestigious Hancock Brothers architectural firm of Fargo, ND and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1908, with a matching addition added in 1917, in neo-classical style, it sports an outstanding central tower, Romanesque windows, cut granite foundation. It is one of the most outstanding historic courthouses in North Dakota, and is the architectural gem of Washburn, which bills itself as "Historic Washburn".
In 1999, the County Commission decided to replace the historic courthouse with a new building. Benefits of rehabilitating the historic courthouse and an option that addressed the ADA (handicap accessibility) needs of the historic property were shared with a County Commission. The County Commission remained convinced that spending any money on the historic property was a waste of public funds and approved the construction of a new courthouse in Washburn, even though the new courthouse cost more than the rehabilitation of the historic courthouse (based upon the county's figures). The County acquired land in Washburn, and is scheduled to begin construction this summer (2001). On April 2, County Commission Chairman Boe wrote to the Superintendent of the State Historical Society that the county would mot maintain the historic courthouse after the county offices relocated to the "new" courthouse in 2002. Approximately 300 concerned McLean County citizens have signed a petition requesting the Superintendent of the State Historical Society of North Dakota to utilize the provisions of North Dakota Century Code to help preserve the historic property. Corrine Kerzmann, a local preservation activist, and other dedicated citizens of McLean County, spearheaded this effort. Over several years, the Washburn Leader — News has carried numerous letters to the editor opposing construction of a new courthouse, and supporting preservation of the historic courthouse. There has even been local discussion of legal options, including a recall of the county commissioners for undertaking a massive expenditure of public funds without public support. The best chance of preservation of this important and beautiful historic courthouse come from the people of McLean County, and the willingness to commit the resources necessary to sustain the grassroots movement. Halting construction of the new courthouse before in can be started is important and local preservationists have requested any assistance to help further their effort. Union Congregational (Ladbury) Church - 1900 [Saved!] 
Read more about the PND Ladbury Church Special Project.
After holding services in a nearby school for twenty-nine years, Edwin Ladbury, donated an acre of land for the Union Congregational Church and cemetery. The church would be located in a rural area, neat one of the campsites (Camp Corning) used by General Henry Sibley on his Dakota Campaign of 1863. In 1926 the congregation purchased the Congregational Church of Kensal, ND, located about twenty-five miles to the northwest and moved it to the site. The church had been built in 1900. The small, well-crafted, white clapboard church became locally known as the Ladbury Church. The new church was set on a basement that held a coal burning furnace and a small coal cook-stove to serve food for community gatherings. After only ten years of service, the church was closed in 1936. The building continued to be used for funerals, weddings, Memorial Day services and other special occasions for many years. In recent years the foundation and basement walls began to crumble and raccoons made frequent visits doing damage to the roof, walls and ceilings. The foundation has come to a crisis situation and is threatening to endanger the safety of the entire structure. Something must be done as soon as possible to save the building. Much of the furnishings have been removed to provide a safe place to store them until the building could be repaired. The yard and cemetery are beautifully maintained by a small group of dedicated volunteers. These same volunteers would now like to see the church renovated to once again used as a community center, and a gathering place for the rural residents of the same area. An architectural assessment study has been conducted and the group is hoping to accomplish most of its plans with fund-raising and donated labor. |
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