A large concrete arrow at a farm in Cottage Grove may soon be added to the city’s historic register of sites and landmarks.
The Cottage Grove Historic Preservation Commission next month will consider a proposal to add the arrow to the list. It was part of an elaborate navigation system built coast-to-coast early in the 20th century to help pilots deliver mail for the U.S. Post Office.
The arrow, owned by farmer Jim Jansen, was featured in the Pioneer Press in July.
In the days before radar and GPS, pilots flying the air-mail route to the Twin Cities knew to look for the shining rotating beacon and the 70-foot-long bright-yellow directional arrow, which points toward Holman Field in St. Paul.
John Burbank, senior planner and historic preservation officer, said the commission will consider the proposal at its Sept. 12 meeting. There are 17 sites on the city’s register, including four sites on the National Register of Historic Places, Burbank said.
If Jansen’s arrow is added to the list, city officials would work with future owners to save the arrow if the farm is ever sold for development, Burbank said. He said a marker could also be erected at the site.
Herb Reckinger, a member of the city’s HPC, said he expects the arrow to make the cut.
“It’s such a rare piece of history,” he said. “There’s only one left in Minnesota. I’m thinking that something should be done to make sure that it’s preserved. Jim’s 81 years old, and he’s not going to live forever. Someone could move in and not know what it is or not care.”
Jansen believes the arrow was installed in 1930, two years after his father, Ben, bought the 240-acre farm.
He said he would like to see the arrow remain even after he’s gone.
“It’s a piece of history,” he told KSTP-TV. “I think they should keep it there even if this farm is developed. It should be roped off for a historic site.”