NORFOLK, Neb. — Officials are sure that the "rock" unearthed when preparing ground for the new Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce building isn't a meteor, but so far no one can figure out when it was buried or what purpose it served.
The hunk of concrete was uncovered by employees of Porter Construction when they were doing dirt work on the corner of Seventh Street and Norfolk Avenue.
The top of the 6-foot-high rock was at ground level, and the rest was buried, said Shane Clausen of Norfolk. Clausen Construction is in charge of the project.
Clausen estimates that the rock is made up of about 13 yards of concrete, which would weigh in at about 38,000 pounds.
"I saw one similar to this that was (one of several) used to anchor a drive-in movie screen," Clausen said.
This one has a hole in the top, which has led some people to speculate that it was the foundation for a large sign. Make that a really large sign. But what sign?
A car dealership was once on the corner. While it would seem logical that the dealership would have had a sign, the rock was in a section of the lot away from Seventh Street and Norfolk Avenue, Clausen said. And a normal sign would not have required so much concrete.
So the speculation continues.
"Maybe Jimmy Hoffa is buried inside," joked Dennis Houston president of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce.
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7 Comments
Posted by: Landon on 08/19/11 @ 1:39 pm:
While this really isnt "news" it is kind of interesting that they found a 38,000 lbs chunk of cement barried.
I used to live in Norfolk and don't even remember the car lot that was there and I lived there for about 20 years. Who knows that this thing is, although I wouldn't think it would be that hard to find out, just ask the old lady that knows everything about the town always wears a hat and have 7 cats.
I bet she knows what was there.
yes every little town has one of those ladies....
Posted by: Bill on 08/19/11 @ 2:20 pm:
Why is this news?
Posted by: Double Tap on 08/19/11 @ 3:21 pm:
I want to read a follow up story after they crack it open..who knows what wonders it might behold?
Posted by: can hardly wait on 08/19/11 @ 3:47 pm:
maybe they can get Geraldo to host it. Like the Al Capone debacle.
Posted by: Please don't on 08/19/11 @ 4:14 pm:
Please don't suggest Geraldo come to Nebraska. He might just do it.
Posted by: Derp on 08/19/11 @ 6:23 pm:
He's gud at mesurin'!
Posted by: blpk on 08/19/11 @ 8:54 pm:
They found a rock in the ground, who knew?