Freedom Rock becomes reality in Jones County

     The idea to establish a Freedom Rock in Jones County isn’t something new. It actually started five years ago in 2015.

     Anamosa VFW Commander Becky DirksHaugsted said the Anamosa veterans groups tried to bring the project to Jones County at the time, “but there was no valid interest.

     “We couldn’t get enough interest and funding generated,” she added.

     Now, thanks to some generous donations, a Jones County Freedom Rock is becoming more of a reality.

     Freedom Rocks are giant hand-painted boulders that depict various scenes of war, military service, and patriotic tributes to local veterans. The artist, Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, has been offering his talents to all 99 counties in Iowa since 1999.

     And now he’s about to embark on a Freedom Rock 50-state tour.

     DirksHaugsted said a private donor contributed the $1,000 for the Freedom Rock application. Mike Deutmeyer and Weber Stone also donated the large boulder and the land it sits on in a prominent location in Stone City.

     “It’s in a beautiful, historic area,” DirksHaugsted noted of the future tourist attraction.

     Freedom Rocks have been known to attract lots of people, and the roadside attraction will require some landscaping and handicapped accessibility. Additional costs would also including parking, informational kiosks, and signage to make this a true tourist destination.

     The rock is scheduled to be painted this November, at a cost of $5,000. This does not include the cost to house Sorensen while he’s here painting the rock for up to two weeks. DirksHaugsted is looking into applying for grants to assist in the cost of the project. There are some fundraisers in the works as well.

     DirksHaugsted said a member from each of the veterans organizations in Anamosa are part of the Freedom Rock committee, co-chaired by herself and Dennis Mulford, Anamosa American Legion commander.

     “We hope to get more members from other veterans groups in the county to join,” urged DirksHaugsted of this countywide project.

     Donations toward the Freedom Rock project can be made at Citizens Savings Bank in Anamosa (215 E. Main St., Anamosa, IA 52205). Make checks payable to “Jones County Freedom Rock.”

     Those interested in joining the committee can reach out to DirksHaugsted at 319-361-2728 or Mulford at 319-462-0880.