Lady Liberty returns to Idaho town

SANDPOINT (Spokesman-Review) – After a three-month vacation and rehab, Lake Pend Oreille’s human-sized Statue of Liberty is back in place with a fresh sheen and ready for photo ops.

The local landmark was taken down in August after a resident reported it leaning over.

Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm told The Spokesman-Review it wasn’t from vandalism but because she “gets so much love.”

The parks department determined wear-and-tear led to structural failure of the base. She was reinstalled earlier this month to her pedestal at the end of a concrete pier at Sandpoint City Beach park.

Sandpoint’s Creative Design and Ingenuity Inc. welded the repairs, and A-10 Autobody in Sagle gave the statue a fresh coat.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience during Lady Liberty’s temporary absence, and we celebrate with all of our community members her grand return to City Beach,” the city said in a statement.

The statue was donated in 2003 in memory of Louise (Lee) Turner, a local businesswoman who had the statue in her backyard.

Sandpoint residents Audrey Milch and Lawrence Blakey walked their dogs up to the statue Thursday to see the handiwork and snap a picture.

“It’s a great idea,” Blakey said. “A good reminder of what she stands for.”