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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ticket Availability ... Chris Honoré: Reality television and the GOP primaries ... Mural of rescued horses to be unveiled in Talent ... Ticket Availability ... Chris Honoré: Reality television and the GOP primaries ... Mural of rescued horses to be unveiled in Talent ... ASHLAND PLAZA ICON Ashland's Iron (aka Pioneer) Mike statue needs a recast, expert says Century-plus old statue not in good enough shape to repair, expert says Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 4, 2015 at 8:28 PM Updated May 4, 2015 at 8:30 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 4, 2015 at 8:28 PM Updated May 4, 2015 at 8:30 PM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this issue? Send a letter to the editor at www.dailytidings.com/sendletter . » Social News A new “Pioneer Mike” statue will be cast in bronze at a cost of $57,000 and set back up on its pedestal in the Plaza after a vandal climbed it and ripped off its hand and rifle in October. At a study session Monday, council members shunned the idea of cobbling together the 105-year old zinc statue one more time at a cost of $35,500, since it’s been patched together after many accidents and wouldn’t last much longer anyway. They greeted the urgings of Ashland historian and preservation consultant George Kramer with comments such as “it’s a no-brainer” and “let’s do it.” It will be voted on in a regular council session soon. Councilwoman Pam Marsh suggested the inauguration of the much sturdier bronze replica be celebrated with everyone dressing up in 1910 garb. Displaying the severed hand and rifle at the council table, Kramer said the original statue should be fixed on the cheap and displayed inside as the historic item it is, but to repair it for the fourth time, though cheaper than a recast, would be false economy. “Left outside and exposed to the elements, it would only a matter of time before the statue will become so deteriorated or so damaged, that restoration and continued exterior display will become unlikely if not impossible,” Kramer said in his written report to the council. The old 400-pound statue has been called “Iron Mike,” because of a long-ago error in the Daily Tidings, he said, but its real name is Pioneer Mike. It was a gift of the Carter family, who founded Ashland’s first bank and, back then, it cost $1,000. Ironically, that’s about the cost of the new Pioneer Mike in today’s dollars. The bronze statue is heavier, 600 pounds, a weight that can’t be shouldered by the old Carter Memorial Fountain, so a column through the fountain to the ground will carry the weight, Kramer said. Pioneer Mike is on the National Register of Historic Places, so the plan for the replacement statue must be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office. Kramer said he has already talked with them and they’re fine about the plan. Last October’s attack on Pioneer Mike was identical to one in 2001. The arm and rifle were patched back on then at a cost of $6,000, but Kramer warned the historic statue, made of cheap, fragile zinc, won’t take another such repair and would fall apart quickly. It was weakened in 1969 when someone lassoed it and pulled it down and in 1931, when a truck slammed into it. The statue has been stored in the city’s Public Works warehouse. When Kramer examined it there, he found many more weak spots, including severe cracks to feet, knee and one running the length of a leg. The J. L. Mott Iron Works in New York cast many of copies of “The Pioneer,” as it was originally called, including one in Salem that blew over in a windstorm and shattered after seven years on display, Kramer said. Another was in Iowa and, after damage, was recast in more sturdy materials, with the original going in a museum. Another plus to making a mold and recasting it in bronze is that the city will own the mold and could get other cities to share in the cost if they want to recast their Pioneer Mike, said Kramer. He asked the state Parks Department if they wanted a copy to replace the one lost on the capitol grounds but they didn’t seem immediately interested. The city has insurance with City-County Insurance Services, but they only offered to cover repair, at $18,000, less the city’s $10,000 deductible. The city will fund the recast in the upcoming biennial budget starting July 1, 2015. Funding will also go to rehabilitation of the fountain and for a security camera. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted May. 4, 2015 at 8:28 PM Updated May 4, 2015 at 8:30 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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