-News-Herald file photos

Good news has come for Tama’s premier historic projects.

On Friday, July 13 it was announced a $50,000 grant has been awarded to help pay for restoration of the Lincoln Highway Bridge. The grant has been prensented by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs through the Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation and Development program.

On Tuesday, July 17, word was received the Tama County Preservation Commission has received a grant from the Mansfield Charitable Foundation. It will allow the commission to hire Jennifer Price, Iowa City historic preservation consultant, to do the necessary work to complete the application for King Tower’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mansfield Trust manages the charitable contributions of the late Wes and Irene Mansfield who founded the King Tower One Stop business on Tama’s east side in 1937.

Tama Mayor Mike Carnahan told The News-Herald upon learning of the bridge funding “It will put the project well within reach at just $12,000 short of the estimated cost.”

King Tower interior and exterior views News-Herald photos / John Speer

In a post on the City of Tama Facebook page, the mayor termed the grant “fantastic” and wrote “Thank you to all who helped work on this grant and others!”

Credit Colleen Davis and Anne Michael, both of Tama, and Jeannie Sieck, Toledo, for leading the Save the Bridge and Tama Historic District efforts.

East 5th Street in Tama was rebuilt in a $1.4 million project last year as a gateway and truck route from Business Highway 30 on the city’s east side to U.S. Highway 63 on the north side of the downtown business district. Repairs to the bridge were not included in the project as other alternatives and funding were explored

Lincoln Highway Bridge Awarded Grant

Anne Michael and Colleen Davis were present at the Tama City Council to formally discuss the grant award.

Janice Gammon, Lincoln Heritage Highway Heritage Byways coordinator, who has been instrumental in working on solutions for the bridge was also present. Gammon informed the council that they will be looking into getting the bridge on the National Landmark list. She informed there are currently 26 National Landmarks in the State of Iowa. This will help with funding down the road.

“We appreciate greatly what you’ve done for us and the bridge and the work you’ve done with writing grants and congratulate you as well because you are a big part of this,” Carnahan told Gammon.

According to Tama County Historic Preservation Commission, the King Tower qualifies for the application because of its location on the Lincoln Highway and its unique architecture.

Along with the Tower and included in the placement will be the Native American sign in front of the Tower and the last remaining cabin, of those cabins once located behind the Tower. Historical research and fact has shown this cabin was built on and always located on its current placement.

The director of the Mansfield Charitable Foundation has indicated once the Tower is on the National Register, the Foundation will consider a grant to repair the sign.

Anne Michael, Tama, has been leading na effort for the Lincoln Highway Bridge and Park and the King Tower complex to be declared an historic district.