“Point 'Em North” represents the dedicated and honorable contributions to Cheyenne of Frank and Louise Cole. They loved Cheyenne and were passionate Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteers for over 50 years, both as members of Heels and W-Heels respectively. Louise worked closely with the historic buggy and costume collection used by the riders in the CFD parades, and she was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame on September 10, 2010, for her work on the costume collection. Frank was a CFD Parade Marshall for 50-years. Family and friends in the parade knew to wave to him and have their picture taken when the rounded his corner. They left an indelible mark on Cheyenne, and it is this dedication that is celebrated in this bronze.
The bull, Domino, represents Louise's prized 4-H registered Hereford bull that she raised when a child. The brand on Domino (A Bar Upside Down A) is the original family brand dating back to September 1925. Domino's genetics: Sire: Spartan lineage, Dam: Domino lineage. Domino is facing north as the western cattle drives did and as the Frontier Days Parade does when it turns the corner on the final leg of the parade. Point 'em North also represents their Christian faith, the compass rose has north pointing up, and all glory goes to God in the heavens above.
Louise's mother, Emma Krauss homesteaded north of Torrington in 1920 taking advantage of Wyoming being the first place in the world to incorporate women's suffrage. Emma and Chris Christensen were married in 1933 and continued to run the ranch and raise their family. The ranch is alongside the famous Rawhide Creek portion of the Western Cattle Trail that travelled from Texas to Montana from 1874 through 1886.
Frank was a Civil Engineer and surveyor. The marker on the base of the statue is for the Sixth Principal Meridian which is the North/South line used to survey Wyoming and the West. His father, George, was a member of the United States Navel Construction Forces (Seabee) during WWII and upon returning home to Cheyenne, continued to build hundreds of brick homes during the 30s and 40s with a young Frank by his side. George was a forward-thinking developer and he, along with Frank's mom Mary, developed Cole Shopping Center, Wyoming's first such development. Frank earned his Senior Certified Shopping Center Manager (SCSCM) certification and was active in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Frank and Louise were married in June of 1957 - notice the 5 and 7 on the bronze in the windblown sand and grass base. Family was very important to them, and they supported their children and grandchildren in everything they did. Frank and Louise were mentors to many other young people.
Some of these were students who Louise taught during her 34-year career as a Home Economics teacher in Cheyenne, or who worked for Frank at Cole Shopping Center.
This bronze embodies the strength, character, and dedication of Frank and Louise Cole to the city of Cheyenne and all who visit it.
To learn more about the Capitol Avenue Bronze Project, visit this link . For more information about each artist, sponsoring a bronze, or becoming a donor/supporter at any level, please contact Harvey Deselms at Deselms Fine Art, located at 303 E. 17th Street Cheyenne. Email is deslemsart@aol.com or call at 307 432 0606
