The sculpture was installed on Oct. 24, and has been getting positive reviews ever since.

“It’s a really nice addition to the entrance of the Discovery Center,” said Matt Cosgrove, director of Webster County Conservation.

The sculpture was made by the late Larry Pearson, of Radcliffe.

It is extremely detailed. Each feather of the eagle was individually made and welded onto the sculpture.

Stephen Nelson, of Webster County, commissioned the creation of it. Nelson did not return a phone call from The Messenger.

At some point, Nelson decided he didn’t want it anymore.

Dr. Terry Moehnke said about three years ago, he got a phone call from Eric Anderson, the director of the Blanden Memorial Art Museum. He said Anderson told him that Nelson wanted to sell the sculpture and wanted to know if it could be placed in the Terry Moehnke Veterans Memorial Park.

Moehnke said there wasn’t enough money in the park’s account to buy a major new sculpture. He said he then contacted Cosgrove about the possibility of putting it near the Discovery Center.

Webster County Conservation secured a grant from the Catherine Vincent Deardorf Charitable Foundation and purchased the eagle sculpture.

The giant eagle was actually bought about three years ago and sat in a shed at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park until this fall.

Tom Riefe, who created the sculpture in front of Fort Dodge Regional Airport, made the base for it.

A crew from Crimmins Welding and Fabrication, of Fort Dodge, joined the base and the sculpture on Oct. 24.

Cosgrove said Baker Electric, of Fort Dodge, will install some lights that will shine upon the eagle at night.