Fountain finds its way back to original site Washington's historical society leads effort to move circa-1915 fixture. Tuesday, September 09, 2003 By BILL BRAY The Express-Times WASHINGTON -- Borough workers are expected to return a historic granite fountain to Belvidere Avenue late next week. John Burd, supervisor of the road department, said weather permitting moving the 2-ton stone fountain would occur on or about Sept. 19, in time for a rededication ceremony scheduled for Sept. 20. The fountain that now sits mostly unnoticed at the Borough Pool complex will be placed near its original location in front of the old borough hall at 37-39 Belvidere Avenue. Built in 1915 by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the fountain provided water for people and horses and also served as a streetlight. The borough moved the fountain sometime in the early 1950s to accommodate larger fire trucks that needed to enter and exit the old municipal building, which also served as the firehouse. The fountain's return to Belvidere Avenue was spearheaded by the Washington Historical Society. Society President Jeremiah Apgar said borough council approved the use of road department equipment and employees to help expedite the move. Apgar got council's approval to move the fountain last year. Since then, the society has had trouble finding a cost effective way to move the fountain. The fountain will stand about 10 feet from the curb, about 15 feet from its original location. There are no plans to reconnect it to water. The streetlight is no longer attached. Burd said lifting the fountain and moving it out of the pool complex is the hardest part of the job. The road department will use a front-end loader to carry the fountain down Broad Street, across Route 57 to Belvidere Avenue. Tilcon, a quarry company located in Oxford Township, agreed to donate heavy-duty nylon straps to help lift the fountain. Burd said he's worried the loader could get bogged down in mud at the pool. The weather must cooperate for the move to happen on time, he said. It should take about three hours to move the fountain, Burd said. Apgar said the rededication ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 20 and refreshments and snacks will be served. Apgar said with the townwide yard sale the same day, attendance could be quite large. The society is still raising money for iron posts to surround the fountain and protect it from a possible collision with an automobile. Apgar said the posts cost about $600 each and donations will be accepted at the ceremony. (Donations can be sent to Washington Historical Society, 110 Sunrise Terrace, Washington, NJ 07882. Reporter Bill Bray can be reached at 908-475-15?+.?? |
|
|
|