LEWISTON, Minn. – A graffitist is taunting authorities with repeat performances at a highway underpass near Farmers Park and by expanding to historic stone railway bridge abutments nearby. Just days after a state highway crew painted over graffiti at Lady Slipper Drive underpass on U.S. Highway 14, the vandal was back. this time with fluorescent spray and just the letters “KAZI.” A few yards away “KAZI” also defaced a historic railroad bridge abutment that was hand-built in 1892 of coursed-ashlar limestone. Half a mile away the same “KAZI “was sprayed on the iconic stone-arch Arches landmark. The stone brudgeb also oisn the railroad and an important element in the early development of Winona County’s transportation system. The stone bridges are example of 19th-century bridge engineering. Apparently KAZI gives not a damn for heritage.
What K-A-Z-I means
Is a message hidden in the Arches graffiti? Perhaps the vandal’s initials? It’s a mystery. “Kazi” s a family name among Muslims in South Asia, coming from an Arabic word meaning “judge.” It also is a Slavic girl’s name that translates as “respect.”
Iconic bridge. Stone bridges at the Arches are example of 19th century bridge engineering. Although the same engineering was used on other Winona & St. Peter Railroad bridges between Winona and Rochester, none are are as massive or as visually striking as those at the Arches. Image: Steve Lunde