Nauvoo Temple Construction PicturesView Nauvoo Temple construction photos at LDS.org March 22, 2002 Pictures -- Thanks to Gene and Peggy Shurts of Nauvoo, Illinois:
December 29, 2001 Pictures
December 15, 2001 Pictures
November 16, 2001 Pictures:
October 27, 2001 Pictures
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September 21, 2001 Pictures -- Thanks to Gene and Peggy Shurts of Peoria, Illinois:
September 1, 2001 Pictures
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February 28, 2001 Pictures
February 15, 2001 Pictures
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Original Nauvoo Temple Tools from the 1840s, Low-res image (60 K). High-res image (324 K). November 5, 2000 Pictures:
October 14, 2000 Pictures:
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July 29, 2000 Pictures:
July 15, 2000 Pictures -- Thanks to Cindy and Clarence Nance of Nauvoo, Illinois. We believe the font liner is made of fiberglass.
July 1, 2000 Pictures:
June 11, 2000 Pictures:
Sunstone. Brigham Young's described the sunstones as follows: "There are thirty capitals around the temple, each one composed of five stones, viz., one base stone, one large stone representing the sun rising just above the clouds, the lower part obscured; the third stone represents two hands each holding a trumpet, and the last two stones form a cap over the trumpet stone, and all these form the capital" (HC 7:323). Sunstone, Low-res image (37 K). High-res image (179 K). Film Director Lee Groberg (left) and Cinematographer Mark Goodman adjusting their camera on SW corner of Temple Square, Low-res image (25 K). High-res image (133 K). A better picture of Mark Goodman Low-res image (19 K). High-res image (127 K). In the hole facing NW, Low-res image (47 K). High-res image (294 K). In the hole facing West, Low-res image (46 K). High-res image (235 K). Excess dirt is being dumped at the Nauvoo Legacy Gardens SE of the temple, Low-res image (49 K). High-res image (263 K). Dirt from the well before the BYU Students sifted through it, Low-res image (52 K). High-res image (283 K). A close-up of the dirt from the well, Low-res image (49 K). High-res image (241 K). Looking NE into the temple hole from a ladder, Low-res image (40 K). High-res image (242 K). Inside the temple hole, 3/25/2000 View of the Nauvoo water tower from the temple hole. When the temple is completed, its highest spiral will rise slightly above Nauvoo's water tower. Low-res image (31 K), High-res image (203 K). 3/18/2000 Cement truck in temple hole The observation deck is nearly complete. Notice the temple replica to the left. The Joseph Smith Academy is in the background. Low-res image (40 K). Higher-res image (66 K). 2/23/2000 The observation stand is taking shape. It is located on the northwest corner of the temple lot. 2/23/2000 More artifacts have been brought near the observation stand. 2/19/2000 Despite the cold weather, cement trucks continue to pour each caisson, which are drilled and fitted with a cage of re-bar reinforcement. Cement was even poured on a day that ranged from 0 to 12 degrees. The TV weatherman says spring is not here, but some birds have arrived. The main river channel near Hamilton has thawed. 2/15/2000 Camera on SW corner of temple lot. 2/15/2000 Closer view of the same camera. 2/14/2000 Drilling into the bedrock is a three-step process: First, a "toothed-edge core barrel" is used to cut around the perimeter. This tool is similar to a hole saw used in woodworking. Second, a "point" beats up and down with successive blows to shatter the rock. Finally, a third attachment is used to gather the debris from the hole. 2/14/2000 A drill tip used to drill through the soil. These drills range from 3½ to 5 feet in diameter. 2/10/2000 The unearthed moonstone and defaced star stone artifacts. People are thrilled to see these artifacts; however, several historic stones have unlawfully been taken from city-owned and private property. "Locals call these people terrourists", said a concerned Nauvoo City Official. 2/10/2000 Work has begun on the observation deck. When completed this will give a better view for sidewalk superintendents. 1/28/2000 Iron workers tying rebar cages which reinforce the cement in the holes. How vast a difference there is in the tools and materials of today than those used by the stone masons, oxen team drivers, and carpenters of some 155 years ago. 1/27/2000 Picture of the truck leaving site at about 11 a.m. 1/27/2000 Upper end of the crane shaft where it is suspended from the cable with a spindle that allows for the rotation. 1/27/2000 A close-up of the crane engine shaft. Each drilled hole gets a rebar cage before cement is poured. 1/26/2000 Day's end at about 4:20 p.m. Josh Gardner of Billings, Montana came by with a group of other BYU-Nauvoo students and expressed the comment we hear so often about this temple, "It's so exciting!" The Blackhawk Foundation Company has a month or more of drilling holes that range from 3 1/2 feet to 5 feet in diameter. Their rig can be seen here. The donkey engine that protrudes out front is what powers the drill (look in the lower right part of the picture at the drill itself). 1/26/2000 Nauvoo winter temperatures are approaching zero at night. It was about 13 degrees when this picture was taken at 4:18 p.m. During the excavation, it was unseasonably warm. This winter has been dry, which has been a boon to this work. Notice that the walls have been terraced back. 1/25/2000 The basement is excavated now to about 12 feet below sides. This is looking at east end which will be further excavated at a later date for a sub basement in this end only. 1/24/2000 The camera atop the bank building on the east side of temple. This is the source for Deseret Book's Nauvoo TempleCam. 1/24/2000 What does it take to set the temple on solid bedrock? Look at these drills! 1/24/2000 Interesting to watch the ballast being attached after shipping. 1/24/2000 The "Boys from Blackhawk Foundation" are on the job early today inspecting the boom. 1/20/2000 Picture of temple sign. First total lunar eclipse of the century tonight. We received an e-mail from a girl in Canada whose sweetheart is serving a mission in Armenia. May her desire be fulfilled to marry for time and all eternity in the rebuilt Nauvoo Temple. 1/20/2000 Work is progressing vigorously here. The excavation contractor has enjoyed workable winter weather. Today's high of 15 degrees was cooler than the last few weeks, but seemed very moderate to those who worked on the Legacy movie ten years ago (when much of January was minus 15 to minus 20 degrees), or to those here in February 1996 for the exodus commemoration, which at minus 14 degrees, bore witness to fact that the Mississippi river can freeze over. 1/18/2000 The afternoon sun made it difficult to get an ideal picture, but here is a view looking to the west from the NE corner. 1/18/2000 No official word yet regarding what is to be built on the NE corner of the temple lot. One source has speculated that a maintenance complex will be constructed underground below a 75-car parking at ground level. Here is the view looking south from the NE corner. 1/18/2000 Today work continued on the Nauvoo Temple. No work was done yesterday because of some freezing rain and commemoration of Martin Luther King's birthday. This picture shows the track hoe in the basement loading dirt in one truck, as another truck loaded with rock backs down the entrance. 1/14/2000 The crane to be used in the next construction phase. 1/14/2000 A bulldozer joining the track hoe in the hole, delivering a load of rock for the rock base. 1/14/2000 Rock being dumped into the hole--the solution to the layer of wet dirt. 1/14/2000 Bottom being brought to grade. Notice the grade stick visible under boom of the track hoe. 1/12/2000 This picture shows the bases for the three monoliths that stood behind the temple model. There was no way to remove them without damaging them. Now we can see why. In the center of the picture are some of the display stones, set in cement, that were also part of the former display. 1/12/2000 Tomorrow we will have better pictures because the piles of dirt next to the hole will be removed. The bulldozer operator, who got stuck yesterday, said they are down to within a foot or two of the desired grade. It is very wet. One option is to over-excavate until they hit solid dirt again. Dirt is being hauled across the street, kitty-corner to the temple. The county is hauling dirt to Niota (a nearby town). Topsoil is being dumped along the new parking lot near the culture hall. It will later be put back on temple square. A star stone, and part of a moon stone were located on the site during excavation. The star had been chiseled off but its shape was evident. They uncovered the water drainway which apparently served the baptismal font. They are considering what quarry to get the stone from. One possible site is in Hamilton, 13 miles from Nauvoo. No decisions have been made. Tomorrow they will begin putting in the caissons. 1/11/2000 The dug-out walls are mostly straight now, not the gentle slope that visitors knew. Most of the digging is done, but he last foot or so is a different soil...and it is wet! So the bulldozer had to have help from the track hoe. 1/11/2000 The track hoe coming out of the basement, after freeing the bulldozer, gives perspective to the depth. 1/11/2000 There are three pieces of yellow gear in this picture. You can see all of the road grader, but there is also a bulldozer and a track hoe in the basement. 1/10/2000 Worker excavating the east end of the site. The top of the well is to the right of the bulldozer. 1/10/2000 It takes just four of these buckets to fill the dump truck. Three trucks ran hard all day today...so lots of dirt is coming out! 1/8/2000 Excavation as seen from west side of temple lot, showing temple well at east end--taken very late in the afternoon on an overcast day. 1/8/2000 Excavation as seen from NW corner of temple lot, taken very late in the afternoon on an overcast day. 1/4/2000 Fallen trees 1/4/2000 More fallen trees Nauvoo Temple site before the recent excavation began. Notice the temple well in the middle of the picture. |
