(From right) Model maker Ralph Steinlage is joined by Jordan Jirak and Melvin Bodensteiner in examining the Black Hawk Bridge Model, created by Steinlage, while it was displayed in the German American Museum in St. Lucas. (Photo submitted)
Lawler artist creates Black Hawk bridge model
Submitted by Clair Blong
St. Lucas Historical Society
Ralph Steinlage, a model designer with the St. Lucas Historical Society, has created a 13-foot model of the Black Hawk bridge in Lansing, Iowa. In recent months, Steinlage became very interested in the construction project to replace the historic bridge. His nephew, Nic Humpal, is one of the construction managers on the project.
Steinlage spent over 75 hours this past month creating the model in his Lawler craft shop. While noting many problems were encountered in modeling such a large structure, he enjoyed those challenges: researching the structure blueprints, scaling the model, selecting the appropriate materials, and then combining these materials into a viable model.