Marshall in Lyon County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
9/11 Memorial Park/Designer Gene Ernst's Inspiration and Vision
for the Design of the 9/11 Memorial
| — | We don't know them all, but we owe them all! | — |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
1. 9/11 Memorial Park/Designer Gene Ernst's Inspiration and Vision Marker
In 2004, I accepted an offer by the City of Marshall to put together some concepts for a memorial incorporating a 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) steel beam and 3,000 victim names. A meeting was set up for an on-site visit to review the original site, which was designated as the fire station, and to see the steel beam. I knew as soon as I saw the beam and discussed with Craig Schafer, along with Marc Klaith and Ron Halgerson, their vision for the project, I wanted to at least have an opportunity to put together some ideas for memorial. I have to admit that I was not that excited about the original tight site with the chain link fence and many trees to work around at the fire station, but many times you have to work with what you have. When I first saw the beam on the dolly in the fire station and I ran my hand over it, unusual thoughts ran through my head. It was as if I was at a viewing for a person who had just passed away. That image stayed with me during my drive back to Chaska. The other images that surfaced very quickly were:
. The peaceful, beautiful sunny day
. The first news of a plane crashing into the
this page online
. The planes circling in and taking aim on the World Trade Center
. The impact and explosion
. The fire, smoke and debris falling
. The people jumping
. The collapse of the towers
. The smoke and dust
. The fear, helplessness, disbelief, hopelessness and despair
These images became more vivid in my mind over the next months as I started to put pencil to paper in January of 2005. How was I going to incorporate these images and elements into a memorial and art form that would tell the story of the tragic event in a meaningful and respectful way? My goal was to create a place that would be special, pleasant to visit, walk through, pause, sit, and reflect. Over the last six years, the original concept has remained intact, but circulation patterns and easy access around the beam were improved as we moved the memorial from the fire station to this location called Memorial Park.
The final design of the 9/11 Memorial includes various elements that represent, or are symbolic of, the events of that tragic day in September 2001. Some are subtle and may not be obvious unless explained or brought to your attention.
I
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
2. 9/11 Memorial Park and Designer Gene Ernst's Inspiration and Vision Marker
I wanted to use durable materials that are native to the region and would stand the test of time.
I wanted the soft landscape to provide year-round green foliage and flowers to provide color during the summer season and help make it feel alive, bright and happy. Tragic things will happen, but we must look to a brighter day and new life. That is easier said than done for many, but I feel that plants do that as they emerge anew each spring and display an array of colors of both foliage and flowers.
The Elements:
The WTC 9/11 steel beam is the primary piece of artwork and is the center focal point of the Memorial set on the main north/south axis. The beam is designed to lean toward New York City at approximately 1-2 degrees
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
3. 9/11 Memorial Park World Trade Center Beam
The circular forms represent community, coming together for one cause and for support.
The spiraling large limestone blocks - There are 10 large stones plus the firefighter sculpture making a total of 11 elements. The 11 elements represent the 11th day of September. The firefighter sculpture is the 11th element and on the 11th day some of the firefighters gave their lives trying to save lives and structures. The increasing heights of each stone represents the days and months of discontent in our world that led up to this tragic event. The 11 stones are also laid out on a spiral line, and if continued (imaginary line) it would eventually circle around and come in contact with the beam. This is to represent the image that many of us have imprinted on our minds as we watched the aircrafts circling around and zeroing in on the Twin Towers prior to impact. The stone blocks are smooth compared
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
4. 9/11 Memorial Park First Responders Statues
The 20” high curving limestone seating walls - This architectural element forms the space and provides seating for the user. The walls keep stepping back from the center of the 9/11 Memorial Beam. This was done to represent what happens when you drop a pebble into water and the ripples move away from the center. The pebble was dropped at "Ground Zero” on 9/11 and the ripples moved out around the world and have changed our lives forever.
The floral pattern on the paving surrounding the base of the steel beam - The floral pattern, or flower, is to represent new life and healing. The floral pattern has nine petals representing the 9th month of the year and also the nine letters in the word September.
The 3000 pavers with stars.........
61 Blue stars for Police
343 Red stars for Firefighters
2596 Black stars for Civilians
The colored stars represent
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
5. Memorial Park Entrance at Main Street and College Drive
The apples on the steel beam base - The apple cut outs represent the "Big Apple” for New York City.
The "Bleeding Jasper” stone - The 3-foot-wide band of black stone with the red veins symbolizes the charred and burnt debris and steel that remained after the fires were extinguished and the smoke and dust had settled. The red veins in the stone represent the blood shed on that sad day. (The "Bleeding Jasper” stone is from the Minnesota Iron Range.)
Firefighter Sculpture was donated by a local family and is incorporated into the Memorial as a key element to represent all the firefighters, police, and emergency personnel who put their lives in harm's way to protect us each day.
We hope your visit has been meaningful and informative. Thank you.
9/11 Memorial Park Dedicated
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Bladholm Construction Inc., General Contractor
Honoree
Sergeant
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
6. 9/11 Memorial Park - We Owe Them All Marker
Sponsors not transcribed
Gene F. Ernst-Principal/Owner of Ernst Associates, Landscape Architecture
Senator Gary Dahms
Jerry Rosendahl-State Fire Marshal
Colonel William Lieder, Brigade Commander, 84th Troop Command
Bob Byrnes - City of Marshall Mayor
Marc Klaith Marshall Fire Chief
Annette Kuyper - Director of Military Outreach of the State of Minnesota
Cal Brink- President & CEO Marshall Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Jan Loft Dean, ad interim, College of Arts, Letters and Sciences at SMSU
Craig Schafer
BG Jeffrey Bertrang, Assistant Division Commander for the 34th Infantry Red Bull Division
Captain Kelly Wasberg, 1st Battalion 151st Field Artillery
Jim Doty
Entertainment
"All My Favorites"
Alison Marshall · Brad Louwagie
Chris Shuckhart · Dan Carlson
Dan Giles · Emily Dorschner
Jeff Thomas · Jill Kontz
Jim Christianson · Lee Warne
Mark Pedersen · Megan Pavot
Nicole Marschall · Rick Johnson
Ross Anderson · Stephen Leek
Military
Bulldogs of the 148th Fighter Wing Fly Over
Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard
American Legion Honor Guard
Minnesota State Patrol Honor Guard
National Guard Honor Guard
Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA)
American Legion - 21 Gun Salute
Erected 2011 by City of Marshall and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: 9/11 Attacks • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the World Trade Center Beams series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 11, 2001.
Location. 44° 26.774′ N, 95° 47.321′ W. Memorial is in Marshall, Minnesota, in Lyon County. It is on College Drive west of Main Street (U.S. 59), on the left when traveling west. Marker and Memorial are in Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Marshall MN 56258, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the Great Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street & East College Drive (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Main Street & Third Street (about 600 feet away); Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mrs. Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mrs. Whitney Statue Artist John Knife Sterner (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honoring Marshall Area Artist Jim Dahl (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 22, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
