Events and Activities : Silos and Smokestacks: Dedication of Vinton Depot signs set for Aug. 1

This sign offers information about the history of the Depot; dedication ceremony is Thursday.

Vinton Unlimited, in partnership with the Benton County Historical Society, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, the Elwick Family, and Tharp Design is excited to announce the dedication of two new signs at the Vinton Depot. These signs were installed last month at the historic Depot and depict the importance of agriculture, industry, and the railroad to the Vinton community over the years.

The signs were created by Tharp Design in conjunction with members of the Benton County Historical Society and show the importance of agriculture to both the railroad and Vinton businesses over the years. The Hawk-Bilt Company was started by the Keith Elwick Family and these signs show the history of one of their most notable inventions, the Hawk-Bilt manure spreader (on display at the depot). The spreader is the first of its kind and the only one that could boast, “We stand behind our product” alluding to the side flail spreader rather than the throwing out the back as other models did.

Vinton Unlimited has been working with the Silos & Smokestacks organization to become a partner site and with the addition of these signs; the Vinton Community is one step closer to achieving that goal. Currently, the depot is considered “an emerging” site and has received grant funding from Silos & Smokestacks for the creation and installation of the signs.

This is a great way to tell the story of not only Hawk-Bilt, but agriculture as it relates to the Vinton community and the depot 24 hours a day rather than only when the doors to the depot are open.

The public is invited to join in the short dedication where we will thank those involved in the project and pay tribute to all who have made this possible. It will take place before the Farmers Market on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 4:30 p.m. at the Depot.

Please come out and join us in celebrating the accomplishments, history, and partnerships that made this a reality. Feel free to stick around afterward and visit with former Hawk-Bilt employees along with taking part in the weekly Farmers Market.