WHS bringing back the 'W'

WALLACE — Longtime residents of Wallace should be excited to hear about the return of a familiar sight, or better yet, a familiar sign at Wallace Jr./Sr. High School.

For decades a neon “W” sign hung above the entrance to the old gymnasium, but as time went by the neon sign fell into disrepair.

According to former Wallace Mayor Dr. Dick Vestor, the sign was pulled down during the filming of the movie “Dante’s Peak” in 1996, when Universal Studios took it down and replaced it with a sign for the fictional town of Dante’s Peak.

The sign was put in storage at Sather Field, where it had sat for more than two decades.

After hearing about the old sign, as well as learning that it still existed, WHS art instructor Katie Lund began putting together a project to get the sign restored to its former glory and then hung on the new building.

The project has been quite the undertaking, but Lund, with the help of her students, as well as partnerships with several local businesses, are well on their way to completing the project and blending some of Wallace’s past with their present.

“The restorations consist of preparing the surface for painting, re-painting the W, installing neon, adding electrical wiring to the school and hanging the sign on the building,” Lund said. “We have partnered with local businesses, McGillivray Environmental, Hayman’s Autobody, Northside Electric and Stovern Supply Company who are donating their services and talents to restore the sign.”

Once the project is complete, the sign will be illuminated during school and community events, which will allow passerbys to know that there is something happening at WHS. Lund is open to any and all help that she can receive on this project.

“We welcome any contributions to this project which will ultimately serve as a connection with the school and the community of Wallace,” Lund said.

If anyone is interested in being a part of this project, please contact Katie Lund at 208-753-5313 or by email at klund@wsd393.org.