Several improvements at Wilson Brewer Park, some in the works for two years, are being completed this summer. These include a new roof for the Illinois Central Depot, landscaping at Mulberry Center Church, historic exhibits in the First Hamilton County Courthouse, and permanent installation of a historic stone sign from the Second Hamilton County Courthouse.

The depot exterior was painted last summer. This year has seen installation of new underlayment, a waterproof barrier, and shingles on the roof of the 1906 structure which houses the majority of historic artifacts in the park’s collection. The work was completed by Webster City-based roofing contractor, API Company Services.

Mulberry Center Church Coordinator, Carolynn Miller, was delighted last week, when long-awaited work on landscaping around the church began. “The church is very prominent in the center of the park,” Miller said. “We want it to look better for weddings, and this will help.,”

Reflecting on the history of the church, originally located in Mulberry Center, a rural neighborhood northeast of Webster City, Miller said, “this is a prairie church, so we’re following a prairie landscaping motif.” To this end, plants selected for the beds, which are set-off by borders of 4’X4″ Iowa buff limestone, include two large Bridal Wreath Spirea on either side of the main (north) door, Prairie Dropseed #1, Cabernet Barberry #2 and Green Velvet Boxwood, among others.

The landscaping is being completed by Smitty’s Landscape & Design, Ft. Dodge. Jaime Brinkman, who is the landscape designer and certified arborist, advised Miller on the project.

A custom-made railing bordering the concrete ramps leading to both doors of the church, are being made now, and will be installed before summer’s end.

Miller, a long-time volunteer at the church and park, descends from the family of J.C. Miller, early Hamilton County settlers and residents of Mulberry Center.

When the Second Hamilton County Courthouse, located in Elm Park on Des Moines St., was

demolished in 1875, workers saved both sets of carved granite letters. One of those sets has been set on a concrete foundation between the First Hamilton County Courthouse and Superior Street. In time, the sign will sit atop a low brick wall and be illuminated at night.

Work continues on historic displays inside the renovated First Hamilton County Courthouse, with local historian and Foundation Board Member Kim Anderson heading-up the work. Foundation Chairman Ryan Rupiper has said previously the target date for opening the courthouse to visitors is this fall.