Latest Information March 2007

RINGNESS PROJECT COMPLETES PHASE ONE Posted MARCH 20, 2007


Brooks Masonry, with the assistance of stone masons from Hamilton, announces that Phase One of the Ringness Project is now complete. Beginning in the fall of 2005, Joe Brooks and helpers began dismantling the house and placing the stones around the site near FM 219 on a perpetual easement granted the Norwegian Society by Don and Alice Brandenberger. In the spring of 2006, Brooks Masonry began the reconstruction of the house after a new foundation had been poured, electricity and water connected, and the area cleared. Progress was halted by health problems encountered by Brooks, but in June of 2006, the committee held a grand cornerstone laying ceremony, at which time more than 100 persons witnessed Brooks mount the cornerstone. Descendants of the Ringness family were recognized, and many dignitaries, including the Norwegian Consul from Dallas, spoke. Guests were entertained by the Norwegian dancers from Arlington. Brooks resumed work in the fall of 2006, but was slowed by lack of workers and continuing health problems. In February of 2007, he was able to join with stone layers and other workers employed by Francisco Olalde of Hamilton, and the work began to progress at a tremendous rate. The last stones were put in place on Saturday, March 17^th, and the house again rises above the prairie as it did years ago. Phase Two of the project will entail the roofing of the structure and replacement of windows and doors, including ceiling joists on the first floor. The committee is engaged in securing estimates for this phase of the project at this date. Some funds yet remain in the coffers to begin this work, but donations and fund raising projects will be necessary to complete this phase of the restoration. In the meantime, motorists approaching the site from either Clifton or Cranfills Gap are inspired as they approach by the sight of the beautiful stone house looming on the horizon, the hills above Neil’s Creek a beautiful backdrop to the pioneer Norwegian home of the Jens Ringness family.