Pictured: Carroll County’s Freedom Rock, which is located in Manning, was also painted by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen.
The City of Glidden has taken their next step in the installation of an estimated 100-ton Liberty Rock in Northland Park along the Highway 30 corridor. According to Administrator, Brooke Peterson, the city council reviewed several transportation bids for the project during their meeting last week and approved a $16,000 proposal from Billy Bell Housemoving, LLC in Colfax. Peterson says they are relieved to now have a mover contracted, as the ongoing public health crisis and problems with securing a contractor had been preventing the project from moving forward.
Even after the 200,000-pound stone has been moved and placed, it could take longer than planned for it to be painted. Ray “Bubba” Sorensen has painted Freedom Rocks in nearly 90 Iowa counties and has been contracted to paint the Liberty Rock in Glidden. Sorensen, who also serves in the Iowa House of Representatives, was scheduled to complete that work this summer, but Peterson says the uncertainty surrounding the legislative session may create a conflict.
The first phase of the project, which has been spearheaded by Glidden Mayor, Roger Hartwigsen, was originally slated to be finished by the summer. While it is disappointing that this likely will not be the case, Peterson notes it is important to remember the reasoning behind the Liberty Rock.
The bulk of the funding for the estimated $45,000 project has been provided through private donations and grants. The city plans to eventually install flag poles, benches and signage at the commemorative space in Northland Park.
