New Signs for the Karl King Viaduct Unveiled
New Signs for the Karl King Viaduct Unveiled
New signs marking the Karl King Viaduct over the Des Moines River were unveiled November 10, 2004. Present at the ceremony were representatives of the Karl King Band and the Fort Dodge Chamber of Commerce.
When the name of the bridge was first announced at a 1960 dedication ceremony which choreographed as a surprise for Karl King, all understood that the sign marked the entire structure. However, after the passage of 44 years, some assumed that only the shorter span which was adjacent to the marker was really the Karl King Viaduct. Now with the new signs marking both the 648 foot span over the Canadian National Railroad and the 1,109 foot span over the Des Moines River, all will understand the original intent.
Bob Singer opened the ceremony and introduced the speakers.
State Senator Daryl Beall, pictured on the left, announced
that he will start an effort
to secure approval of a U.S. postage stamp in honor
of Karl King.
Bob Rye, Iowa DOT Field Services Coordinator, shared some brief remarks with the crowd.
Oley Olson, Karl King Band Manager, placed the day's events in historical perspective.
Fort Dodge Mayor Will Patterson pulls the strings to unveil the new sign.
