Monday was proclaimed “Florence Klingensmith Day” in Moorhead, highlighted by the unveiling of the city’s newest public art installation downtown.
The unveiling highlighted a day of events celebrating the aviatrix, who grew up near Kragnes and attended Moorhead High 100 years ago. Author Kevin O’Brien was on hand to discuss her contributions, as featured in his best-selling book “Fly Girls: Women Who Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History.” He spent several months doing research at the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County.
Here, artists Cory Gillerstein and Jared Froeber of Upper Hand Signs, along with project mastermind Marisa Bengtson-Loerzel, give dedication attendees their first glimpse of the mural. It’s on the west side of Moorhead Ace Hardware at Main Avenue and Seventh Street, around the corner from the iconic “56560.” (Photo/Russ Hanson)