MEDIAPOLIS — It is surprising to encounter presidential candidate Donald Trump standing alongside a farm-to-market road in Des Moines County. But there he is — resplendent in his blue suit, red tie and orange hair, quietly surveying the passing grain trucks and laboring combines. Closer inspection reveals The Donald guarding the entrance to the Gabeline Century Farm outbuildings near the village of Yarmouth, is not the real thing.
Rather, it is a startling and realistic life-sized concrete reproduction that proclaims its owner’s political affiliation. It is a political statement that is light-years beyond the discreet yard signs proclaiming party preferences. The Gabeline statue, backed by an eight-foot, fierce eagle with the prerequisite flag and illuminated by spotlights, is an in-your-face rousing proclamation of presidential choice.
The Yarmouth Trump owes its existence to a Mediapolis manufacturer that has built a nationwide niche reputation of creating molds that become realistic, concrete colossuses. But after 40 years of operation, the company has been sold and will soon be relocating to Arkansas. Nunnikhoven Enterprises started out manufacturing canoes, but innovation and opportunity has led it to an inventory of more than 4,000 molds and figures.
Owner Steve Nunnikhoven recently sold the business located along U.S. Highway 61 and will be sorting and loading 12 semi-truck loads of equipment to send south.
“Its been a good run, and we have built a national rep.