DUNSEITH, N.D. -- They're a symbol of peace between two nations situated on the longest undefended international border in the world.
The iconic towers at the International Peace Garden on the border of Canada and the United States in far north-central North Dakota will soon be demolished.
The state Legislature has approved $200,000 for the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department to demolish the four 120-foot-tall concrete towers that comprise the Peace Tower.
Weather has taken a toll on the towers built 32 years ago and the concrete is beginning to crumble, Peace Garden CEO Garry Enns said.
“These towers have been a beacon of hope uniting North Dakota and Manitoba,” said Enns. “The focus of the garden is on freedom and peace. The gardens are here to reflect that."
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The towers, two on the American side of the border and two on the Canadian side, signify the four corners of the earth at the 2,340-acre garden built as a tribute to the longstanding peace between the two nations.
Enns says the park looked into saving them.
"Once the engineering study was done, it became clear that repair wasn't gonna be an option," he said, despite the relatively young age of the towers.
"Well, they look hale and hearty, don't they?" he said.
However, they’re starting to crumble.
He said there are pieces of concrete falling off the braces at the top and the structural integrity is being affected at the base, too.
Once the towers are torn down, Peace Garden officials say they want to replace them with another symbol of the strong bond between the two countries.
"My hope is that when we get to the replacement discussion we will be able to come up with something as iconic and as significant as we have right now,” Enns said.
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“We're going to be looking for input from our visitors, and also from people who have been involved in the international peace garden over the years," he said.
The towers will stay up until this fall at least.
Enns said it’s one more chance to visit an international icon before it's gone. "This year will be the year if you want your photos taken in front of the Peace Tower, obviously."
Besides the state of North Dakota, the Canadian government may kick some cash in, too, according to Enns.
