One of the projects during the summer of 2004 was the building of the Maplelag fireplace. Before we could begin the actual building of the fireplace, we had to create a support structure in the lower level of the lodge in the wax room. After building the support system, with some of the timbers coming from the Maplelag woods, Fred, the carpenter, begin building the "box" or framwork of the fireplace. After this phase was completed the rock, and mudwork was good to go. Before we started though, we removed the last timber truss sytem so the view of the fireplace would not be restricted. The majority of the rocks used in the fireplace are from the New Lepzieg, ND region. The stone is called prarie rock which is basically petrified silcrete. Supposedly this stone has only been located in a few remote places throughout the world. The highlight of the fireplace is the use of pieces of petrified wood also from the New Lepzeig area and also some pieces from South Dakota. Scroll down to the bottom for the most recent photos.
Jim and Jack scoping the rock situation in the Elgin area, summer 2002. The majority of the rocks and pieces of petrified wood came from fields like this in sw North Dakota.
The building of the support system in the wax room. Not a real exciting photo but a very important element in the project.
Fred framing the the box for the fireplace.
The first few pieces of rock to be set into place were the two largest. A long piece for the mantle and a huge pice of petrified that was lifted with a hoist.
The base of the hearth.
The base of the hearth near completion.
Jim and Peter discussing rock placement for the hearth.
The highlight of the hearth is a nice long flat piece of sandstone that came from a abandoned foundation in the Elgin, ND. area.
After the hearth was completed, the two pieces of petrified were next two be set.
Peter working on the inside of the fireplace.
Peter getting "intimate" with the fireplace, as he says.
The staff members of the Spanish camp have been very helpful with the lifting of some of the heavier rocks from the outside to the inside. Here one of the counselors checks the weight of a piece of petrified. It took four of us to carry it in.
The piece of petrified above in place ready to be "set in mud". Another piece of petrifed sits to the left.
Working towards the top. All these pieces are petrified wood.
Peter and Beetle on the scaffold and working towards the top.
The fireplace completed. If Jens was a unit of measurement (as of August 25th, 2004) the height of the fireplace opening is "one Jens".
Staff members of the Spanish Camp celebrating the completion of the fireplace.
A different angle of the completed fireplace.
