Artist's representation of lights on the bridge.LIGHTING THE BLACK HAWK BRIDGE
Since its completion in 1931, the Blackhawk Bridge has been a major historical attraction of Northeast Iowa, encompassing the beauty of the Mississippi River and the bluffs of Lansing. This picturesque spot is a favorite site captured by local and national media. The architectural structure of the bridge is a popular scene, as testified in the 2000 Iowa Travel Guide and Explore Northeast Iowa tourism guide.
A study conducted in early 1990’s led to a long-range plan for the Blackhawk Bridge. Local citizens met with county, state legislators and DOT officials achieving a successful effort to heighten the priority of maintaining the bridge for the future. The role of the bridge has significant economical impact on the tri-state region. Economics related to a means of travel for a commuting work force, interstate commerce, as well as tourism trade.
In January, 2000, a group of local residents desired to make the Blackhawk Bridge stand above any other Mississippi River structure, as a reflection of the strong embedded respect of the river culture in this area. The idea of installing permanent lighting on the outer peripheral structure of the Lansing Blackhawk Bridge was shared with the Lansing Lions Club. Quickly the project gained momentum and action began to make this dream a reality. In partnership with the Lansing Lion’s Club, the Lansing City Council, Allamakee County Supervisors, Iowa DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and Iowa DOT plans are progressing to enhance this visually attractive piece of craftsmanship with 74 lights illuminating the night sky. Lighting the bridge will expand the presence of the area beauty into the darkness hours. The novelty of this lighting idea will place it as one among only a few on the upper Mississippi River. This project endorses the economic importance of having a bridge at this location entering Northeast Iowa and will become a highlighted site for the tourists traveling through Iowa and viewing the historical bridge.
Artist's representation of lights on the bridge.
Donors who have given $200 or more to this project...
BLACK HAWK BRIDGE LIGHTING PROJECT
(Contributions are still being accepted at Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank through September 10.
Call 563/568-3231 for details. Contributions $200 or greater will be listed on a permanent sign.)
IN TRIBUTE OF…
William E. & Anita Albert
Alliant Energy Foundation
James & Nancy Anderson
George & Edna Aschom
Walter & Lola Aschom
Walter & Sophia Bailey
Art & Peggy Bakewell
James A. Bakewell
Robert Bakewell
Thomas Hill Bakewell
William & Magdalene Bakewell
Dodie & Ralph Bartels
Evelyn Beaton
Hilliard Beaton
Walter Bechtel
Johnnie & Marguerite Beck
Allie Becker
Arlen Bjerke
Sonny & Opal Boardman
Beverly Boies
James William Bowker
Joe Brandt
Daniel J. Brennan
J.F. Brennan Co., Inc
Mike & Kerry Brennan
Kelly Bristol
Leland & Sadie Brown
Drew, Owen & Dow Buckmaster
Rubert & Martha Caballero
Lloyd & June Capper
Anne Christopher
Fred Carlson Company
Carl & Diane Clancy
Mary Genevieve Collins
Edward Colsch Sr.
James P. Conway
Crest Precast, Inc
Cross Timbers Metal Prod.
Dalaco-Iowa
Richard DeGowin
Karen DeGowin
Bill DeGowin
Carrie DeGowin
Tom Vermeulen
Emily Vermeulen
Rosina Daley
Robert DeGowin
Rudolph & Emma Dehli
Ian R. Dunn
Eagles Nest Gallery
Harold & Viette Englehorn
Tanya English
Harold Everson family
Farmer's & Merchants Bank
LaVern "Jitterbug" Fink
Leo & Lydia Fink
Ray & Lenore Fink
Peggy Fitzgerald
Martha & Emmett Gaunitz
Paul Gavin
Ed & Evelyn Gramlich
Kevern Arthur Grant family
Leaman, Fairbanks Grant
Stewart Shaefer Grant
Great River Roadhouse
Curt & Carol Green
Harvey & Sue Halverson
Ralph & Lucille Hanson
Harley Davidson
Jay & Jeannine Hisel
Marlan Hogan
Brian & Michele Houlihan family
Maynard Hovden
Kevin, Gordan & Susan Ira
Ralph & Gladys Jenkins
Carl T. & Agnes Johnson
Robert & Geneva Johnson
William & Mabel Kehr
Joe Kelleher
Karl F. Kelleher
G. Kerndt Brothers
Harold & Sharon Kerndt
Jim & Angela Kerndt
Thomas Martin Kerndt
Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank
Dorothy Kirchmeyer
Sandra & Chuck Knebel
Joe Knopf & Clarence Knopf
Leo & Elsie Krieger
Kwik Star
Edward Langer
Lansing Furniture Inc.
Lansing Marina Boat Owners
David Larson
Ron Larson
The Lechtenberg's
Ken & Karen Leppert family
Warren & Arline Leyde
Dr. Robert C. Love
Francis Lowe
Al & Arlene Lynes
Dr. Jane Manning
Jay & Dolores Mathews family
Bud & Helen Maust family
Alfred George Meyer
Leo & Elinor Englehorn Meyer
Maury Mooney family
Clem H. Moore
Cyril & Irene Murphy
John Moline Nelson
New Albin Savings Bank
New Albin VFW Post 5603
Nightcrawlers Forever
Northern Engraving
The O'Connor family
Bill Ohm
Dennis & Kay O'Malley
Irene Palmer & Margaret Early
Clem & Helen Peters family
Postville State Bank
John & Janice Rea
Tom, Kathy & Dayton Ready
Roy Renk
Bruce & Mary Lynn ReVoir
Howard & Martha ReVoir
Tom & Nan Riley
Clyde & Melita Roeder family
Richard & Mary Ann Roeder
Alfred & Chris Ronnfeldt
Leland Ruppenthal
Scenic Valley Motel
Ida & Henry Schafer
Mabel Beck Schilling
Dick Schneden
Alvin Schultz family
Schweitzer Chiropractic
James & Anna Seeley family
Doug & Harriet Sharp
Lenore Spinner
Norbert (Nubs) Spinner
Allen & Mabel Stahl
Steiber & Gramlich grandparents
Bernard & Betty Steiber
Dale Steiber
Leo & Millie Stirn
Alfred "Ted" Strong
Norb & Loretta Strong
Nancy & Mary Arlene Strub
Jack & Babe Sweeney
Bill & Helen Tully
Craig & Mary Twaites
Bill Underwood
John & Phyllis Beck Verdon
Harold & Grace Verdon
Lynn & Jason Verdon
Francis & Alberta Wagner family
Ed Walleser
Don & Pearl Walsh
Waste Management
Waukon Dental Clinic
Lloyd & Betty Welsh family
Patrick L. & Mary B. Welsh
Milton & Genevive Wild family
Sgt. John A. Wilde
Harold Worman family
Darrel & Nancy Wortman
Bernard & Dorothy Zeimet family
To make a donation:
Contacts: Bruce & Mary Lynn ReVoir, co-chairs of Bridge Lighting Committee
Email address: brevoir@rconnect.com