Wrought Iron gates

Wrought iron security Robert Edwards and Max Detjens secure a wrought iron gate in the 400 block of West Granite Street. They belong to the all-volunteer Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization, which stepped into action after a rash of wrought iron gate thefts earlier this year. For details on the protect-a-gate program, visit www.buttecpr.org.

http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2007/05/09/opinion_top/20070509_opinion_top.txt

This past week has also brought some positive developments at the local level — most notably Butte-Silver Bow’s newfound common-sense approach to the Corette Memorial Pool and Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization’s proactive response to recent thefts of historic wrought-iron gates.

As for the antique gates, leave it to the creative members of Butte CPR to devise a plan to help stop these insidious thefts. The community owes them a big thank-you, and probably the best way to say thanks is for Uptown homeowners to accept nonprofit’s offer of chains and bolts to make these gates harder to steal.Many of these ornate gates and fences were installed on the Butte Hill more than a century ago, and you’d think people would have the decency to leave them alone where they belong.Since that doesn’t seem to be the case, anyone with a historic gate should at least make it as difficult as possible to remove. For help, call the good folks at CPR at 723-2174.

http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2007/05/06/butte/hjjcjejdjjfjha.txt

Gate savers: Historical preservationists offer chains, welding to prevent theft in Butte
By John Grant Emeigh of The Montana Standard - 05/06/2007
A historical preservation group wants to make stealing antique gates a thing of the past.After a rash of thefts of wrought iron gates, the Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization decided to help property owners protect their valuable gates.The group will give away free chains or will weld a bolt to the hinge to prevent the gate from being removed.Mitzi Rossillon, a Butte CPR board member, said the service will be provided on a “first come, first serve basis.” Last month, Butte-Silver Bow police received four separate theft reports of antique, wrought iron gates. Sheriff John Walsh said gates and fences are among antique thieves’ favorite targets.Rossillon wants to help people save their property because of the historical significance of these gates.“We want to enhance and preserve the historic heritage of Uptown Butte and wrought iron fences are part of that heritage,” she said.

Many of these fences on the Butte Hill were placed there more than a century ago.Preservationist Jim Warner said he and CPR member Robert Edwards will gladly do their part to save these historical gates.“We just can’t stand to see all this thievery,” he said.For details, call Butte CPR at 723-2174.