[SirSaggi]

Da mich das Schloss doch sehr neugierig gemacht hat, hab ich da mal noch etwas nachgeforscht, wenn es interessiert:

From: Thomas [mailto:mengede.t@alice.de]
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2010 12:31 PM
To: King, John R (DOC)
Subject: Information about a lock

Dear Sir or Madam,
When I was taking some photos in Cologne, Germany I saw a lock with the inscription “Stillwater State Prison Minn” hanging on the “Hohenzollernbrücke”. It has become a tradition that couples hang up a lock with their names on it on the balustrade and then throw the key in the Rhine.
This made me curious and after some research on the Internet I found out that the Stilwater State Prison really exists.
Would you be so kind as to tell me whether this lock is originally from your prison? If so, could you also tell me when this lock was used?
You can find a picture of the lock enclosed.
I would really appreciate if you could answer my questions.

Yours Sincerely

Thomas Mengede

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 7:29 AM, King, John R (DOC) <John.R.King@state.mn.us> wrote:
Brent,
I received this from Mr. Mengede. I have not seen any locks like this here at our prison or in our vault. Are you able to answer this?
Mr. Mengede,
Our state prison was built in 1914 and is still in operation in Washington Country (on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin). Mr. Peterson is the Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society. I have forwarded this to him, as he is very knowledgeable and helpful.
Thank you for sending the photo. Sincerely,
John King, Warden
________________________________________

Dear Warden & Mr. Mengede:

The lock in the photograph is one that I have seen several times on Ebay and they have all been reproductions or just flat out fakes. Early locks at the prison did not have the name of the prison on them and were much more simple.....we have several original examples in our collection.

It is very interesting that one of these locks would find its way all the way over to Germany.....it makes me wonder what couple would place a lock at this traditional site that would be from a "prison."

Thank you so much for sharing this!!

Most sincerely,

Brent T. Peterson
Executive Director
Washington County Historical Society
www.wchsmn.org

Gruß

Thomas