The steel chapter ring enumerating the iconic time piece’s face has been painted a darker gray color under scaffolding wraps. Rotted wood under the leaky dome that weathered over 100 years has been stripped away. Concrete for the new decks was poured last Thursday and has since set.

The first shipment of copper to rebuild the dome has left France, and is expected to arrive in Chicago within four to six weeks, depending on U.S. customs processing time. The first shipment will be stored and inspected in Ankeny before being offloaded to Fort Dodge, as necessary, to keep it secure, according to Neumann Brothers supervisors.

Lighting has been installed and renovation of the mansard roofs is in full swing, with masons working on the now-bare chimney that will eventually be finished with new copper and brick.

East and west roofs of the building were pitched (sloped) in toward the upper mansard and will soon be repaired. Tapered insulation will be added, where needed. A new slate look mimicking the old roof, but without the disadvantage of age, is being installed, too.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
The bell inside the clocktower at the Webster County Courthouse patiently waits for surrounding work to be completed so it can once again ring.

Skylights were in a holding pattern but are on track for completion by mid-September, with the skylight and glass shipments arriving on Aug. 21 and Sept. 3, respectively. The wood structure that currently makes up the roof of the skylight is in the process of being demolished. Soon, the aged fiberglass that gave a yellow hue to the interior of the courthouse will yield to a much brighter natural light coming in, thanks to the new glass.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
The skylight of the Webster County Courthouse clocktower and roof renovation is next on the agenda. Glass will be installed soon.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad takes in the view on scaffolding at the top of the Webster County Courthouse’s clocktower from the west side.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Scaffolding surrounds the Webster County Courthouse’s clocktower as the Fort Dodge icon undergoes renovations. The project is aimed for completion by the end of the year.