New courtyard sign completed

Work has been completed on the new sign on the southwest corner of the Jackson County Courtyard that includes the word “Holton” with “Jackson County” underneath.

The project was a joint effort between the Jackson County Commission and Holton Main Street, which disbanded at the end of 2014. 

The Holton Main Street organization had funds leftover when it disbanded, and members committed $22,000 towards the construction of the new sign, which is a 32-foot long and four-foot tall limestone wall with a pillar at each end. 

The county commissioners agreed to allocate an additional $12,885 in county funds for the project, for a total project cost estimate of $34,885. While the sign was being constructed, the commissioners agreed to modify the original design in order include the words “Jackson County” on it. The additional purchase of resin letters added a few extra hundred dollars to the county’s original project estimate, it was reported.

The plans for the sign were developed by Holton-based landscaper Andy Gilliland of Topeka Landscape. Each pillar is five feet tall, and the finished wall is 18 inches thick. Approximately 315 square feet of limestone veneer was installed, mortared and grouted. 

Lighting was installed to illuminate the letters at night. The county has agreed to maintain the sign.