[MassHistPres] Iron or steel cemetery fencing

[Dennis De Witt]

Carol

In one of our LHDs we were recently approached by a private school  
which had a grant from Homeland Security for a 6' iron fence to  
surround its property.  The fence they proposed was made of pop- 
riveted light gauge sheet-metal hollow square tubes with sheet-metal  
rolled channels for the stringers.  They claimed it was all they  
could afford, even though it was relatively flimsy.  Most of the  
metal fences you see there days -- such as around swimming pools --  
are that type of construction.  There were a lot of neighbor concerns  
about height and other issues and considerable time was spent on  
appropriate siting.  We also suggested they contact Cassidy Brothers  
who appear to be the only firm hereabouts who have an efficient  
industrialized facility to produce solid spindle fences.  There are  
also more high end handcrafted producers but this was a tall long  
fence and cost was a consideration.  While I do not know the exact  
price, it is my impression that Cassady quoted a very competitive  
price -- aided perhaps by the fact that they were selling directly to  
the user whereas the sheet metal fence had a distributor's markup.   
The difference was between 1/2" hollow sq. sheet metal tubes and  
solid 5/8" steel bars (at 4" spacing, if I recall).  It is  
significant in terms of durability and resistance to failure,  
vandalism, and decay.  Delivery, seems to have been about 6 months.

Dennis De Witt


On Jan 18, 2007, at 8:41 AM, Carol Kowalski wrote:

> Has any community recently replaced or installed a historically
> appropriate iron or steel fence near a cemetery, or other historic  
> site?
> Information such as cost per linear foot of fence, the length of the
> fence, and the designer and/or manufacturer is helpful.
>
>
> Carol Kowalski AICP
> Staff Planner
> Town of Concord
> 141 Keyes Road
> Concord, MA 01742
> (978) 318 - 3293
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