'Walls in Wheatfield' tell hometown stories

By Benjamin Joe

Drivers through the Town of Wheatfield may be a little more aware of where they are as they pass three the “Walls in Wheatfield” on their route.

Councilman Curt Doktor recently announced completion of three of the “Walls in Wheatfield,” which are comprised of three decorative walls, during the Town Board’s regular business meeting.

In a short presentation, Doktor explained the origins of the project, which centered on a wall at Nash Road.

The wall there had been standing since 2005, but residents of Wheatfield, and Doktor, decided it needed a bit of a cleanup. Doktor said the Nash wall, “is the spark that started the fire for the larger ‘Walls in Wheatfield’ idea.”

Two other walls were constructed, one on Ward Road and another on Witmer Road. According to Doktor, the goal of the volunteers who spearheaded the project was to make improvements along Niagara Falls Boulevard, which is the town’s business corridor, on which 10,000 vehicles pass through every day.

Other goals included letting people know they were in the Town of Wheatfield, the three walls are prominent to drivers, and finally to instill pride in the town’s residents.

“We are a community with class and we wanted to have something that represents that pride,” Doktor said.

To that effect, the Nash wall was cleaned up and a gateway sign was added, and lights up at night.

The wall at the corner of Ward Road was constructed with the prominent images of the Town of Wheatfield town seal and the Niagara County seal placed on the pillars. An image referring to Wheatfield’s place in the agricultural world, a tractor, can also be seen on the wall.

On the Witmer Road corner – Doktor said it was the favorite of many – the wall stands as part of Wheatfield’s contribution to “American ingenuity” and the “national story.”

According to Doctor, the Bell Aircraft Corp. and Niagara Falls Airforce Base built the Bell X-1 rocket engine in 1945 in Wheatfield. The innovation allowed the flight of X1 jets, first piloted by Capt. Chuck Yaeger on Oct. 14, 1947, over the Mojave Desert. The planes can fly as fast as 700 mph.

Doktor said that was “pretty cool.”

“So, this wall is really a nod to American ingenuity, if you will. Wheatfield’s contribution to the national story, which we are so proud of,” he said.

Doktor gave credit to the Wheatfield Enhancement Volunteers who led the project, especially Rita Kontak, whom he said was “the driving force.”

“Rita knows how to get stuff done,” Doktor said. “She is very persistent and determined.”

The New York State Department of Transportation was also thanked, as well as Melius Welding and Cooper Sign Co., which did the design work.

A time capsule was set to be placed by the Ward wall on St. John’s Church property, “for the kids,” Doktor said. The capsule does not have an exact date of being reopened, but Doktor estimated 2057.

The project isn’t over yet. Another wall is being tentatively planned for the corner of Williams Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard.

“If and when the opportunity presents – we hope when – we’d love to see another ‘Wall of Wheatfield’ at this corner,” Doktor said.