Bronze plaques have been added to four of the 18 interpretive pillars and lamp posts on the courthouse square in Jefferson.
The first plaques placed tell the stories of Guy C. Richardson, 1888-1979, a Greene County aviation pioneer and civic leader; Eva Leonard, 1898-1947, a New York song and dance entertainer from Grand Junction; Albert Head, 1938-1922, a Jefferson land developer and banker; and Mahlon Head, 1835-1920, Jefferson’s first banker and first mayor.
The pillars are part of the downtown Streetscape project and are meant for pedestrians, not motorists. The plaques are on the side of the pillars away from the street, encouraging folks to take a moment and read a bit of history. Two of the plaques include a QR code – with an app on a cellular phone, people can get even more information.
Information about pollster Dr George Gallup, 1901-1984, and Dr George H. Grimmell, 1885-1918, the first doctor in Jefferson, will be on the next two plaques.
Each plaque costs $1,500. The city of Jefferson is funding 10 plaques from remaining Streetscape funds. The county supervisors approved county funding for another two plaques. Jefferson Matters: Main Street has taken over the job of choosing who will be honored, ordering the plaques, and having them installed. (Note: Clicking on the photo will enlarge it in a new screen for easy reading.)
