THE TERRA COTTA EAGLE MADE IN CLAYTON, WA, FOR OUR STATE ARMORY IN 1922 IS HOME AGAIN, AS OF JUNE 7, 2010.
There will be a lull in the action while waiting for winter to pass. Our society members are laying the ground work for the Eagle’s permanent home. It will be at the corner of HWY 395 and Railroad Ave. Here at the entrance to Clayton sits the CLAYTON DRIVE IN. Present plans are for the Eagle’s aerie to be adjacent to HWY 395 along the east boundary of the parking lot.
Knight Construction, the sole reason our Eagle project is on course for completion by early summer, 2010.
This new concept designed and engineered by Knight Construction, General Contractor of Deer Park. Jim Knight built this pedestal to a height of our choice 8 ft. and has sent it to I 90 Express for Powder Coating which should be ready to return to Deer Park May 20, 2010.
On May 7, 2010, Pete Coffin took a picture of the 4" X 6" steel tubing with 1/2" thick sidewalls that Knight Const. used to build the Eagle pedestal. Henceforth to be referred to as the 'KNIGHT STAND.'
The actual bronze plaque by Metallic Arts arrived March 29, 2010 in Spokane, WA. The plaque text is by Jeff Lilly listing those that were instrumental in making this giant endeavor a reality. An anonymous donor paid the entire cost of this bronze plaque to be attached to the Eagle display to honor those that made this impossible endeavor a reality.
Even before we saw it we heard heavy equipment operator Gary shifting down. We had waited for this for 6 months! As they faded behind the shadow of Randy Long’s rig the picture was snapped. Sure enough, there was the Eagle crate and pedestal, THE EAGLE WAS LANDING!
Sue (Jenkins) Rehms, Mary Clouse, & Lorraine (Zimmerer) Nord decorate the scene of the unvieling of our National Emblem about to unfold.
When the smoke cleared and packing removed the Eagle and his noble entourage emerged. This is one incomparable team.
The National Guard pays tribute to the Eagle, June 8, 1983, at its home at Geiger Field, Spokane, WA.
These men & women are our mentors. The very reason we now are preparing to dedicate our good fortunes to the active and retired 161st Infantry, Washington State National Guard. We are proud of them and will strive to make them proud of us.
Mr. Bob Peetz, first CDPHS President gave us the names of 2 local professionals in Terra Cotta restoration. On the Left is Mr. Tom Taylor & the far right Mr. Lyle Thompson. Doing the preliminary work will be Jeff Lilly, Pete Coffin, and not pictured Bill Sebright. Supervising from a distance & out of ear shot will be Bob Clouse.
No more pie in the sky, here is the pedestal in all its glory. On the left is Mr. Dennis Whisman, CDPHS President Bill Sebright and Peter Coffin on the far right, genealogist and historian. The next step will be the transport to I-90 Express for Power Coating in Black low gloss and returned to Deer Park in preparation for transportation with the Eagle to Clayton for finalization.
Knight Construction’s heavy equipment ace Gary Fochtman approaches the landing site in slow motion. The Eagle swoops in low totally prepared and at the proper momentum for the final descent.
In total control the Eagle climbed to the proper height, the front stabilizer pads descended and the Gradall extended toward the final 6 feet.
With Jason Jenkins perched on a ladder for a second set of eyes, the rear of the concrete base slid into the 2 inch deep heavy metal rim. Gary put his prize possession precisely to rest.
Big Gary Fochtman ran every segment of Knights involvement in our Eagle Project from start to finish. These four photos are by Jeff Brian Lilly, our friend and Society Photographer. Thank you, Gary and Jeff for a job well done. Gary has worked for Knight Construction for over 13 years. He lives in Colville, WA, and drives the trip every day. I believe Mr. Jim Knight is one of Gary's most ardent admirers.
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De Pelan, Editor of the Loon Lake Times included this Eagle article. Thank you, De Pelan!
On May 25, 2010, the pedestal received its powder coating at I 90 Express and was taken back to Knight Construction till D Day. Finished in Coal Black with a 40% gloss, a very professional job that should last decades.
This sight greeted Bill Sebright early on themorning of June 11, 2010. Eagles are gathering for miles around with the news "GRANDPA'S HOME!"
The Good Knight boys (Dan Sim and Gary Fochtman) stripped the forms, gently set the Knight stand in place, bolted it down and placed the Eagle in his hideaway around the corner with in what seemed like an instant. All we had strived for was happening in a few short moments. What a sight for sore eyes!
Dan directs Gary as the Eagle takes the next to the last step home. Today he is but a mere couple hundred yards from the Terra Cotta plant where the die was cast.
Indispensible tools were Pete with his Sawsall, Bill with his hatchet and Jeff's crowbar & camera.
Sharon Clark the CDPHS Publications Editor, with the knowhow 2nd to none, uncovered an actual Spokesman Review photograph and news article. The original State Armory was built in 1905-1907, then remodeled extensively in 1922 at which time the Eagle was added to the all new Washington State Spokane Armory. Thank you, Sharon Clark.
CDPHS President Bill Sebright and Vice President Rob Higgins look with an Eagle eye on our benefactor number one, Mr. Jim Knight as he admires his thank you gift of a very appropriate pure Silver Eagle Dollar. Jim Knight, Randy and Taffy Long are the true benefactors to whom we will forever be indebted.
This Silver Eagle was presented by CDPHS to Jim Knight, Dave, Doug & Ken Knight. It was also given to Taffy & Randy Long as well as Bill Sebright for services rendered above and beyond the call of duty. This was a proud moment for not only the recipients but for CDPHS as well.
While preparing our National Emblem for the final leg of its journey, our Society was presented with a brass dedication plaque by the 161st Washington National Guard. We are adding another feature sure to draw the attention of most everyone. An identical size 30 X 18 Bronze plaque is being cast explaining the life of the Eagle from the Terra Cotta Plant in Clayton, WA, in 1922 till its return in 2010. Who was responsible for the return home? The Washington National Guard was the one and only benefactor for which no one can or will ever dispute. Mr. Jim Knight of his company Knight Construction, Deer Park, Washington, was solely responsible for the trip back home and mounting the Eagle for the enjoyment of all Americans on the premises of the Clayton Drive In owned by Taffy and Randy Long. The Longs are also providing the surrounding the decorative landscaping. Bob Clouse was granted acknowledgment by the CDPHS for spearheading the drive to bring the trophy home. He is most grateful for the honorable mention.
Gary guides the Eagle into the Rehms Shop where it will under go a new face lifting of total restoration by Tom Taylor & Lyle Thompson and a new paint job by the CDPHS team.
Robert A. Clouse CDPHS, Mr. Jim Knight CEO of Knight Construction, Jessica Simon, Project Manager of Knight Construction.
With the Re-bar 75% complete, the Stevens County Planning Board gave its final approval the forms. Pouring of concrete is next on the agenda.
The Knight Construction crew, Dan, Gary, and Steve plus Randy Long were able in one day to put in the footings, add the Re-bar and install the forms in preparation for pouring the cement on June 4, 2010. See below.
Knight Construction ordered 4 cubic yards of concrete to be delivered to the Clayton Drive In at 11:00 AM from Dawson Trucking of Valley, WA. The Dawson Trucking cement truck arrived at a few minutes to eleven. It took less than a half hour and when the final few shovels full were cleared from the chute, the forms were full to capacity. There was less than a shovel full of excess. The bill for the cement was $340.00, but was donated in full to the Clayton Deer Park Historical Society. Our many thanks to DAWSON TRUCKING of Valley, WA.
Clayton, Washington’s pride and joy stands ready for the next step. Mary Clouse and Pete Coffin are also pictured. The picture of the day by Jeff Lilly..
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