Whitford waxed

Statue gets a coat of preservation

Published Monday, October 27, 2008

Photo by Tom Hintgen

Applying preservation wax to the Joe Whitford statue Tuesday afternoon is renowned Australian artist Ian Dudley who sculpted the statue that was dedicated in October 2005.

Three years following its dedication, the Joe Whitford statue northeast of downtown Fergus Falls has received a coating of preservation wax.

“From now on, it will be good to do this every two years,” said Australian artist Ian Dudley who sculpted the statue.

The resident of Lindstrom, north of St. Paul, has worked over the years with the Rev. Bill Gamber, a 1947 Fergus Falls High School graduate who is the statue project leader. Many of Gamber’s classmates, and others, donated to the statue project, which totaled $36,545.

Phase two involves raising money for an informational plaque and spotlight. People who want to make contributions can send checks, made out to Joe Whitford Trust Fund, to City Hall.

Waxing of the Whitford statue is similar to the waxing process with other statues in Minnesota, among them the Mary Tyler Moore statue along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. That statue honors Mary Richards, played by Moore, on the Mary Tyler Moore show that aired on CBS during the 1970s.

Accompanying sculptor Dudley to Fergus Falls on Monday was his wife, Becky. The Whitford statue was formally dedicated Oct. 8, 2005.

In 1857 Whitford was sent by his employer, James Fergus, to locate a site for a new community. Along the way he encountered a Native American family who told him of a location where there was a big falls or rapids. After locating the rapids, Whitford staked out a town site at the big falls and named it Fergus Falls in honor of his employer.

In 1870 George B. Wright, who is honored with a statue of his likeness on South Union Avenue, purchased the town site for just over $100. He built a dam on the river to power a sawmill.

On March 1, 1872, Fergus Falls was chartered as an official village of the State of Minnesota and became the county seat.

“This monument is museum-quality,” the Rev Gamber said. “We're so happy that Joe Whitford has his just reward.”