Garrison Commercial Club asks for help to preserve the Garrison Concourse

GARRISON - The Garrison Commercial Club is asking for the public's assistance to help raise money for the restoration and preservation of the Garrison Concourse, the area where the fish monument is located off Highway 169.

The restoration project cost is estimated at $3.6 million to restore the wall around the concourse and to purchase a new flag pole and add lighting around the flag.

The club would like to receive funding through grants and is asking the public to write a letter to support the project to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, 416 Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN 55102. The club asks that the letter state that the person would like the area to be preserved and nominated as one of the 10 endangered historical sites in Minnesota.

The letter must be sent no later than Friday.

A letter of support also is being suggested to be written to the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Baxter. The club said this letter should contain information on the concourse. The letter can be sent to MN DOT District 3 Headquarters Office, attention to Gary Durlam, 7694 Industrial Park Road, Baxter, MN 56425.

The project of the retaining wall began in 1936 and was completed in 1939. A flag pole was added at the time and until recently was flying the American flag.

The walleye was built in 1980 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and restored in 2008, which was financed by the Garrison Commercial Club. The concourse attracts thousands of people every year. The Garrison Commercial Club financed and operates the information booth on the concourse.

For more information contact Myron or Kathy Stevens at (218) 764-3447 or e-mail at ctnycare@brainerd.net.