View Point - Letters to the Editor

EDITOR: We were shocked and disappointed to learn that the historic Blanchard Bridge has been given away to be relocated to Wisconsin (Hillsboro Banner, May 4, 2007, page 3).
We were not notified or consulted during the decision process to remove this historic landmark from Traill County.
The Blanchard Bridge was built in 1900 by a N.D. based bridge builder and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It is familiar to all who travel ND State Highway 18 by Blanchard and is a treasured landmark that should remain where it has been for 107 years.
We are well aware of the costs of bridge repair and maintenance, however this bridge is in a different category. It requires no maintenance and there is no cost to the taxpayers of Traill County to leave it where it stands.
But, we will all pay dearly if this bridge is removed; a valuable piece of Traill County’s heritage will be gone forever.
We welcome the opportunity to research and document the historic significance of all landmarks in Traill County. This, in part, is the purpose of the Traill County Historical Society as stated in its constitution and bylaws: “to cooperate with officials . . . to work for the preservation of all historical buildings, monuments and markers.”

Concerned members of the Traill County Historical Society Board of Directors:
Dallas Boeddeker
Dan R. Christianson
Marlene Diehl
Bernard Gill
Curt Kaufman
Chris McInnes
Michelle McLean
Bonnie Mueller
Shirley Nysveen
Marilu Person