A group of Superior residents would like to install a monument on the front lawn of the Courthouse located in the middle of town.

The vision for this project was to create something that embraced Superior’s community roots for the past 150 years, “where the community’s heritage of God and country came from strong, hardworking people, like miners, lumberjacks, loggers, railroad men, ferrymen, outfitters, ranchers and cowboys,” said the project coordinator, Emily Ornelas.

“Today people still work hard at many different types of jobs but, residents also have the luxury of enjoying recreational activities including fishing, rafting, hiking, skiing, camping, cycling and snowmobiling, just to name a few of the things we like to do here in western Montana,” she said.

The monument is meant to encompass all or most of these elements. Another goal is to attract and educate tourists and locals as well as to honor the community of Superior. The group is reaching out for financial help for the $30,000 creation cost from area larger businesses and they also want locals to have an opportunity to be a part of this historical project.

“Purchasing a brick in your family name, to celebrate a loved one, a “thank you” to honor a member of our community or to advertise a business and show support for our town is possible,” said Emily. “It will be a unique and celebrated addition to Superior and Mineral County.”

These bricks will be placed as a pathway to the monument and around its base and the statue will reside on the courthouse lawn but the exact location will be determined when the project is nearer completion.

Local artisan, Dennis Althoff, has been commissioned to do the piece and said he will not take any payment until the project is complete. He is an accomplished metal artist who has proven himself in many of his works and is still working on the exact design of this 16-foot monument. A portion of it will be ready to be shown at this year’s Mineral County Fair and Rodeo in August.

Emily hopes as many locals as possible can be a part of this project. “One hundred dollars a brick is a lot of money, but when we consider what we spend on “entertainment” I think it is a bargain investment in our history and community. You’d have to agree that one brick will share your message to thank, honor, remember, or support something you really believe in and how great is that?”

Emily and Ernie Ornelas are covering the cost of promotion for the brick campaign so all the monies from the bricks which are sold will go to the commission and completion of the monument. Emily will send receipts to all who request one and thanks you in advance for purchasing a brick.