The Highpointers Foundation is committed to provide funds for a major renovation at Hawkeye Point. The Highpointers Club Liaison Committee has actively worked to foster a relationship with both the private property owners, and the local Osceola County government. In 2007 an agreement was reached whereby the Sterler family, owners of the farm for many decades, would donate the actual land at the highpoint to the County, and would sell the remaining several acres of the surrounding farm houses to the County. This agreement was realized in April 2008, and the County now has taken possession of the highpoint. County agencies will occupy the building on the location to help offset the purchase price, and state funding is being sought to assist in a visitor center.

The Foundation has committed to assisting with this process. An informational kiosk has been built near the highpoint, and the old license plate display is on the back side of it. A flagpole has been erected. Five tall posts have been erected with 10 signs on each, indicating the distance and direction to the other US highpoints. Major landscaping around the highpoint and the house has been completed. Much of this has been paid for by the Foundation. They are planning more construction in 2012, and additional funding is needed.

The highway which passes close by to the west of Hawkeye Point was recently upgraded to a major 4-lane highway, and the corridor now draws a substantially higher volume of traffic than in years past. A visitor center would bring many in for a stop. A 7 acre plot of wooded land immediately north of the highpoint has been purchased from the state of Iowa highway dept for a campground as well, and initial development occured in 2010. Brush has been cleared, and gravel laid for camping and RVs. Weary travellers can now find a place to stay next to the highpoint, perhaps one of the few locally owned highpoints in America where overnight visitation is allowed this close to the actual highpoint. The Highpointers Foundation provided the majority of funds to acquire and develop this acreage.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a large framed Fifty Flags Poster, commemorating the events of September 11, 2001, which was delivered to the USFS Ranger District office in Mountain View, WY. This office administers the northern approach to Kings Peak, a.k.a the Henrys Fork Trailhead. The U. S. Forest Service is well aware of the many Highpointers who pass through and inquire about Kings Peak, and they are a strong ally to the hobby. This was the first collaboration between the Highpointers Foundation and a federal ownership administration, the U.S.F.S., for the benefit of a highpoint. Lorie on left, Whitney on right.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for several signs to be placed along the gravel county roads leading to the highpoint. These signs will assist visitors in their travel to the highpoint, as well as warn of the bison herd in the area for safety. The dirt lane leading to the actual high ground was becoming rutted in inclement weather, and the landowners have asked visitors to refrain from driving around the mud puddles. Signage now indicates proper conservation of the access roads. The HPF is working with the landowners to make improvements to the cattle guard leading to Panorama Point. Access may be restricted for public safety if this project cannot become a reality. It is too dangerous for visitors to walk the mile to the highpoint, if the bison herd is currently in that pasture.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a large boulder to be placed inside the small road loop at the very top of the highpoint. This boulder was obtained from 50 miles away in Alabama, transported to the highpoint, and set in place. A brass plaque was inset, which describes the history of the area. The plaque honors the landowners, the extended Brown family, for allowing access to visitors. Another sign was erected at the bottom of the approach road, at the intersection with the county road, which leads visitors in the correct direction. The signs were unveiled at the Club convention at MS-10, the acronym for the Mississippi Convention held in October 2010. Close to 200 enthusiastic highpointers watched as Foundation Director Gary White unveiled the plaque, with the Brown family watching.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a new register mailbox to be placed at the summit area, along with custom trail signage and a new summit sign. This was placed in the Fall of 2011. Theft-resistant bolts were used to discourage vandals. With additional funds we can provide a new bench, picnic table, etc. We are in discussions with the local authorities to also place a bench at the recently cleared view spot, located a hundred yards north from the highpoint. Here, trees have been cleared in a sufficient arc and depth to clearly see Lake Superior to the North.

The Highpointers Foundation is working with the U.S.F.S. and local historical societies to renovate the famous plaque imbedded in the summit boulder on Eagle Mtn. This operation will take considerable skill on the part of local artisans. We believe we have located the original installation company, still in business, to clean the plaque and remove about 60 years worth of decay and erosion. The plaque should be looking like new by the end of the summer of 2012. Funds are needed to complete this expensive work. Volunteers have been located to do the removal and re-installation work. In 2011 the Foundation procured a large 50 Flags Poster commemorating the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, and shipped it to the Tofte USFS Ranger Station near Eagle Mountain MN. The poster is on display in the ranger station visitor center for passersby to view. These posters were given to the owners and managers of all 50 state highpoints in 2002 on the anniversary of 9/11. The poster for Minnesota was mis-placed, and the Foundation was able to come through with a replacement.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for signs leading visitors to the highpoint from the highway and along the summit ridge. These signs, developed by the Renaissance Signs firm of Gonic NH, employ theft-resistant bolts to deter vandals.

The Highpointers Foundation has provided funds for signs leading visitors to the highpoint from the local road. These signs, developed by the Renaissance Signs firm of Gonic NH, employ theft-resistant bolts to deter vandals. Previous work by an Eagle Scout is being supplemented by new improvements form the Foundation, including a bench, and possibly a picnic table and info kiosk to come.

The Highpointers Foundation is working with the Highpointers Club to make additional improvements at the Jakk Longacre Glade. This pleasant viewpoint was donated by Lori Longacre, daughter of the late Jack "Guru Jakk" Longacre, who founded the Highpointers Club back in 1987, and was the driving force behind the growth of the Club until his death in 2002. Jakk lived near this point, and was proud to be the highest resident of the state of Missouri. His home was about 2 miles from the summit of Taum Sauk Mtn along County Road CC. Jakk frequently walked across the road and out to this viewpoint, occasionally even sleeping on an outcrop to watch the stars from there. The Club created a parking lot here, and improved a path to the viewpoint. Extensive surveying was required to legally accept this property, all provided by Club volunteers. Sign posts have been erected, displaying custom signs for each of the other 49 states, depicting the distance and direction to each highpoint. The Foundation is working to provide a bench for visitors, and possibly other amenities. Visitors to Taum Sauk can stop here enroute to the highpoint for a picnic lunch.

The Highpointers Foundation has committed to purchasing a dozen modern benches made from recycled plastic. Built with a black steel frame and pleasant earth-tone tan colored planks, these environmentally friendly benches are being placed at highpoints all over America for weary visitors to stop, pause, and admire the vista. Strategically placed to maximize viewing and resting, these benches will be seen in numerous highpoint locales by late 2012. The benches are each 6' long, and made by Kirby-built of New Berlin, WI, one of Americas leading providers of environmentally friendly trailhead equipment. Visitors may see some kiosks, info boards, signposts, and other items soon. Donors are needed to help make this project a reality. A custom plaque will be created identifying major sponsors, and imbedded in the back rest of the bench. Please consider sponsoring a bench at your favorite highpoint !!! The Bench Project offers an opportunity to provide visible cooperation between the Foundation, the Highpointers Club and managers/owners of the various state highpoints. It will also provide an awareness to the public that maintaining and improving state highpoints is a continuing effort and process in which everyone can participate.

Possible future projects to assist privately owned state highpoints are being considered at:

• North Dakota - White Butte - trailwork, approach road, Iron Ranger donation device, signage
• Illinois - Charles Mound - open dates information sign, bench
• Kansas - Mount Sunflower - signs, kiosk, replacement US flag
• South Carolina - Sassafras Mountain - info kiosk, bench
• Ohio - Campbell Hill - information signs on highway
• Missouri - Taum Sauk Mountain - signs, kiosk, bench at Jakk Longacre Memorial Glade
• US - Bench Project - mulitple states over time

Ideas for other projects at other state highpoints are always
welcomed by the Highpointers Foundation Board of Directors.