OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Pictured is a newly constructed sign to celebrate the history of the Brocton Arch, which was erected in 1913.

BROCTON — Brocton has a new monument in the village, and this one’s purpose is to honor the village’s most recognizable structure.

A new sign to commemorate the Brocton Arch was recently completed and installed outside the Village Hall, within sight of the structure itself. The Brocton Arch was erected in 1913 on the 100th anniversary of the town of Portland.

The new sign features historical photos and information about the Brocton Arch, which was designed in the early 1900s by local contractor E.J. Bailey. Total cost for the Arch project itself was $1,200 at the time, with $300 contributed by the village of Brocton and the remainder from donations by citizens.

In 2012, the Arch was reconstructed at the base due to deterioration of the steel over time. The updates were grant funded.

Mayor Craig Miller said the new waterproof sign took more than a year to construct. “It looks beautiful,” Miller said.

In other improvements in the village, the project to restore village basketball courts on Kinney Street will proceed.

After the Brocton Village Board approved the plans to pave the former Kinney Street basketball courts, multiple donation letters came from residents to support the cause.

With the help of the public and additional funds from the village’s youth recreation account, the Village Board approved the purchase of two new basketball hoops and backboards through Great Lakes Sports at a cost not to exceed $1,295.05, with shipping. The village has the other remaining equipment required for installation, and the paving will be done by the Brocton-Portland Highway Department.