Very hot weather has hit us here in Nodaway County due to a high pressure "dome" that the science fiction forecasters say is "parked" right over the top of us. The temperatures are expected to rise throughout the week with the thermometer reaching the 100 degree mark for several days toward next weekend. We are getting a few spotty thunderstorms but even the areas that are getting some rain are not receiving much. The soybeans are needing some moisture, the blooms are just "melting" away due to the heat, and the corn, especially the later planting, is really needing some rain to fill out properly. I heard a report that pointed out that Kansas City only had six total days last year in August that were in the 90s and as of this past Sunday, August 8, they already had seven so we may be in for a very hot period of temperatures during late summer this year. Nevertheless, it is summer, we do live on the Great Plains, and every summer seems to have its own attributes.
The renovation efforts on the courthouse are progressing as planned. The roof of the tower has been taken down and the bell was also removed this past Friday. All of the material from the tower including the slate, wooden beams, and the interior structure have been taken to our road and bridge headquarters for safe keeping. Although much of the material will not be reused, some of the wooden structural beams may be utilized back in the floor area when it is rebuilt because they are a different "cut." That means that the dimension of the old lumber is larger than the new replacement and to get the correct fit it may be needed for repairs.
The four porticoes and balconies that were on the tower were disassembled and then the best parts of all four of each were reassembled and shipped to the tower replica company so they could create an exact model. The metal trim that was below the balconies was also saved and sent to the metal fabrication company to create a design that matches the original. The slate will be saved because it matches the rest of the courthouse roof and if there ever is a need for repair, it can be used,
The floor area where the bell was at, will be rebuilt with a new wooden substructure and metal beams will be attached vertically down to the next level where the clock mechanism is housed. This metal will be attached to the brick structure of the existing tower and is to stabilize the prefabricated unit to the new floor area where the bell was at. Several areas, especially below the four balconies also need attention. They were covered by metal and the deterioration could not be determined until everything was removed. They were constructed of wood and were imbedded back in the brick portion of the tower. Several decades of water getting through the old metal seams caused the wood to rot and will need replaced.
The bell, as I mentioned, is housed at the road and bridge headquarters where it will be kept until the commission determines what to do with it and where it will be displayed. As I have mentioned previously, the bell is cast with the date of 1894 but the courthouse was constructed in 1882 which means that it was put up in the tower 12 years after it was built. It would have been quite a feat to build scaffolding out of wood to the top of the tower and then pull the heavy bell up with no more than block and tackle. I have not had an opportunity to research this endeavor of more then 100 years ago but when the University library is open during evening hours I will do so and report on it.
The road and bridge crews are taking advantage of the dry weather and getting several jobs completed all over the county. The new bridge up in the Elmo area was completed this past week and they will be moving soon to #686 east of Clyde to begin construction on this new addition to Nodaway County's infrastructure. There are several older wooden deck bridges throughout the county that need new runners installed or complete decks replaced and they will get attention as soon as we get the bridge planks delivered that were ordered a few weeks ago. The county is also responsible for two small bridges in Ravenwood and they also are needing repairs. The commission determined that the best course of action may be to replace both bridges with metal culverts. There are a few details to work out concerning the city's infrastructure but we will proceed soon on this project.
This year's Bridge Replacement Off-System structure south and east of Hopkins is underway with BRS Construction on site and getting preliminary grading completed and making plans to start installing the vertical support beams. The new bridge is "up-stream" from the old structure taking a crook out of the road making it much safer for traffic. The old bridge is still in place for emergency use but the road is closed for normal traffic. I should point out that the county retains all salvage material from old bridges. The bid requires that the construction company dismantle the old structure and deliver the salvage to the county road and bridge yard. Although much of the material is not reusable, occasionally some of the old beams can be utilized for repairs or to construct a new smaller bridge and the remainder of the "scrap metal" we sell to a recycling facility.
The commission is moving forward with obtaining bids for the two bridges, #686 already mentioned, and #28 in the Elmo area that will be funded through the Missouri Department of Economic Development. I need to mention that our Nodaway County Economic Development and NW Mo. Regional Council of Government offices are invaluable not only to our needs at the commission but are available to assist other government entities and individuals with grants and assistance. All of these folk are dedicated and available for those wishing to apply for grants or information on what is available.
Call or come by; remember, county government is everyone's business.
–Joe Baumli is the presiding county commissioner of Nodaway County and provides a weekly column for the Maryville Daily Forum
