Always nice to be recognized! We were mentioned in the Business Briefs in The Pilot News June 27-28, 2015 Weekend Addition as seen to the right. Charley Creek Inn in Wabash, Indiana has selected Easterday Construction to guide them through their expansion project. We’re pleased to continue our relationship with the Ford family on this project. See our previous post with a rendering of the proposed street view of the project here.
Rendering of Charley Creek Inn addition and courtyard
I attended the dedication ceremony for the Fletcher Cemetery Veterans Memorial on Memorial Day last week. Despite an inordinately windy day, the rains held off and the ceremony was well received. Easterday Construction was contracted to provide the new memorial foundations, plaza and retaining walls. We donated the flag pole foundation and erection of the pole as well as some modifications to the sprinkler system.
As discussed previously here, we were a bit hesitant to take on the relocation of this priceless monument, but things came off without a hitch. (Move pictured here.) It looks good in its new location. It is now flanked by two new stone obelisks ready to receive the memorialization of future veterans.
Congratulations to the Fletcher Cemetery board for the completion of a great project. It will stand as a symbol of their respect for veterans for generations to come.
This is a project from last year. We relocated the Veterans Memorial Monument to a new base with a plaza and pedestal bases for additional markers. We donated the installation of a new flagpole including the new concrete flagpole base. If you can’t attend this memorial dedication, please remember our veterans in your own way.
The much anticipated focal point for Yei-Yei’s Game Room arrived this week. The 600+ pound bronze Lorax has taken his place on the pedestal we built for him. The crew had given me a hard time about over-designing the structure for the pedestal base, but I think they changed their tune (toon?) when it took five stout men to move it into place. The delivery company sent two guys to place it and there is no way that would have happened. We were able to move it around adjacent to the exterior doors with a forklift, but from there it was all Egyptian style moving through finished space… in some cases over wood floors and ceramic tile that had to be protected. Fortunately we were able to accomplish this without mishap.
When he realized that he was going to have to help move the statue, John volunteered to take its place rather than do the heavy lifting. That was until it was pointed out that the Lorax is naked in the sculpture. John agreed with the rest of us that, “No one wants to see that!” Poor Lawana!
In any case, the statue is in place with no damage to it, the room or the movers. We are pleased to help the Owner realize their vision. The Lorax looks like it was meant to be there… which it was!
We are currently helping the Ole Olsen Theatre troupe in Peru, Indiana with repairs to the dormers on the old railroad depot that they use as their base. The old wood siding on the dormers have gaps to the point that our crew said you could see from one side of the dormers out through the other side! We are replacing the old siding with vinyl and wrapping the existing window trim with new rot resistant materials. The window glass will be protected and insulated with Lexan covers.
It’s unfortunate that the previous roofing project was poorly executed. Flashings were not installed properly around the dormers causing damage over the years. The shingles were not properly laid out, so the lines are uneven and do not match on either side of the dormers and there is a round turret where the shingle line waivers up and down as it rises. All this detracts from what is an impressive historic structure. The details on the building are quite impressive, though as is often the case with historic structures, neglect has taken its toll over the years. Bob Cooper and Ken Stiles have been our crew on site and they are struggling to fix past mistakes and blend the new work to fit with the historic structure.
This postcard supposedly shows the first CR&M (C&O) depot in Peru, Indiana. I would rather think this really the freight house, even though it resembles a depot. The brick and stone depot was built in 1901, which was the year the CR&M started running to Peru. I can’t explain the train order board. I did talk with a C&O retiree and he said he remembered the building as a yard office after it had been moved near the river. I am open to comments on this one. Postcard from Bob Albert collection.
Apparently there have been a plethora of gawkers sharing their comments and perspectives with Bob and Ken. One of them spoke very authoritatively on the structure and stated as fact that the structure was over 200 years old. The guys found that a little suspect since the State won’t be celebrating its 200th birthday until next year. I did a little internet research, which I admit is also always a little suspect, but I found references to the railroad first coming to the Peru in 1854 on the Indiana Transportation Museum site. Since is seemed a little unlikely that the depot was built in anticipation of the railroad that didn’t arrive for another 40 years, I did a little more digging. I found the picture to the right showing a picture of the original depot with a reference to the current brick and limestone depot being constructed in 1901 on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Picture page. 114 years old is still impressive, but a little short of the 200 year claim.
Historic structures are always interesting and challenging. We are attempting to be cognizant or the theatre troupe’s limited funds, where more extensive work might be appropriate. We want to thank the Ole Olsen Theatre Troupe for their faith and confidence in Easterday Construction Co., Inc.