For forty years, from 1921 to 1961, the American flag—also known as 'Old Glory'—flew high above Red Wing, Minn. (and T&B's Hager City facility), on the crest of Barn Bluff. Overlooking the Mississippi River and steeped in history, the bluff was used as a visual reference point for explorers during the 19th century. In 1961, it was determined that the flag had been installed on a sacred Indian burial ground and was promptly removed.
Forty years later, after significant effort by the Flag on the Bluff Committee, the Red Wing City Council and the State of Minnesota Heritage Preservation Department, Old Glory is again flying high on the bluff, this time with the blessing of the Tribal Council. Out of respect for the burial ground, the flag has been relocated just 63 feet away from its original location.
T&B's Hager City, Wis., facility played a big role in bringing the project to life. Jeff Boigenzahn, the facility's manager and member of the Flag on the Bluff committee, volunteered to manufacture and donate the pole. The pole is 8-sided galvanized steel, 40-feet (12 meters) long and weighs 600 pounds (272 kilograms). It features solar panel lighting to illuminate it during the night and has security cameras to prevent vandalism.
Hauling the pole to the top of the bluff was no easy feat. Motor vehicles couldn't be used on the steep bluff so 15 volunteers strapped the pole to long wooden boards that rested on each person's shoulders as they carried the 600-pound hunk of steel to its permanent location.
The flag and flag pole were installed just in time for a Flag Day ceremony on June 14th. Flag Day is an American holiday designated to celebrate the adoption of the United States flag in 1777.
This isn't the first item the Hager City facility has donated to Red Wing. They also provided the arch over the entrance to Discovery Garden in Colville Park. (See PowerLine 2009-2010).
