The Highpointers Foundation has provided funds for signs leading visitors to the highpoint from the local road. These signs, developed by the Renaissance Signs firm of Gonic NH, employ theft-resistant bolts to deter vandals. Previous work by an Eagle Scout is being supplemented by new improvements from the Foundation, including a bench, and possibly a picnic table and info kiosk to come.

The Highpointers Foundation is committed to provide funds for a major renovation at Hawkeye Point. There has been active work to foster a relationship with both the private property owners, and the local Osceola County government. In 2007 an agreement was reached whereby the Sterler family, owners of the farm for many decades, would donate the actual land at the highpoint to the County, and would sell the remaining several acres of the surrounding farm houses to the County. This agreement was realized in April 2008, and the County now has taken possession of the highpoint. County agencies will occupy the building on the location to help offset the purchase price, and state funding is being sought to assist in a visitor center.

The Foundation has committed to assisting with this process. An informational kiosk has been built near the highpoint, and the old license plate display is on the back side of it. A flagpole has been erected. Five tall posts have been erected with 10 signs on each, indicating the distance and direction to other US highpoints. Major landscaping around the highpoint and the house has been completed. Much of this has been paid for by the Foundation. An 18-foot high observation platform has been built around the old corn silo.

The Highpointers Foundation worked with the USFS and local historical societies to renovate the famous plaque imbedded in the summit boulder on Eagle Mountain. This operation took considerable skill on the part of Highpointer Club volunteers. The original installation company, still in business, advised on how to clean the plaque and remove about 60 years worth of decay and erosion. The plaque looked like new at the end of the summer of 2012. Foundation funds were used to complete this expensive work.

In 2011, the Foundation procured a large 50 Flags Poster commemorating the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and shipped it to the USFS Tofte Ranger Station near Eagle Mountain, MN. The poster is on display in the ranger station visitor center for passersby to view. These posters were given to the owners and managers of all 50 state highpoints in 2002 on the anniversary of 9/11. The poster for Minnesota was misplaced, and the Foundation was able to come through with a replacement.

The dirt lane leading to Panorama Point became rutted in inclement weather, and the landowners asked visitors to refrain from driving around the mud puddles. The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for several loads of gravel to help resolve this problem, and this work is still in progress. In the summer of 2016, the Foundation commited to enabling the 1.2 mile access road to be completely bladed, and the dozen low spots filled with gravel and recycled crushed concrete. This should reduce the annual snow and mud closure days from over 40 to less than 10. In 2018, the road repairs were completed to the summit.

The Foundation also provided funds for several signs along the gravel county roads leading to the highpoint. These signs assist visitors in their travel to the highpoint and, for safety, warn of the bison herd in the area. The signage also indicates proper conservation of the access roads and asks visitors to respect the owner’s request for a nominal donation upon arrival. It is too dangerous for visitors to walk the last mile to Panorama Point if the bison herd is in the pasture near the highpoint, so the Foundation is working with the landowners to make improvements to the cattle guard encountered en route to Panorama Point. Bison can jump a single cattle guard, and a double cattle guard is needed. To completely resolve this issue, the Foundation is negotiating for a tall bison fence around the access road and the highpoint. In 2014, the Foundation placed a plaque and bench at Panorama Point. The bench faces southwest so vistors can enjoy the view of the distant mountains.

In 2018, the Highpointers Foundation secured an easement that
provides permanent public access to the North Dakota Highpoint.

A sponsored bench was placed near the highpoint in 2017.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funding for labor and materials to help with a major tower building reconstruction. The old stone lookout was deterioting badly and in danger of being closed. Now, flagstone steps have been replaced as well as windows and doors. We also funded a beautiful stone bench halfway up the trail at the boundary of state and federal land. Summit hikers can pause here with a view of the summit, and this point could be an end goal for some visitors who would be challenged by the rough wilderness hike to the summit. Additional interpretive signs will be installed in 2018, funded by the Foundation. We have created a second stone bench, and that installation will take place in Spring 2018. This bench is along the alternate Trail #4 to the summit, near Little Devils Tower and the Cathedral Spires, with a nice view of the summit and stone tower.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a mailbox register for visitors to sign when hiking Timm’s Hill. A register mailbox was placed in August 2007. A replacement mailbox was needed and placed in 2012. A bench was also installed in 2012, along with numerous signs. The original wooden trail map signs were decaying, and were replaced in 2012, created entirely in vinyl plastic. Wisconsin HP club liaisons Doug and Mary Urban visited Timm’s Hill to admire the new register and bench.