An ornate water fountain that once stood on the Natick Common, until it was unceremoniously crushed by a vehicle decades ago, could be making it back to the center of town.
Vincent Vittoria, who has his fingers in numerous historical education and restoration efforts in town, spoke at the Natick Select Board meeting on Sept. 18 about an effort underway to restore and return the fountain to Natick Common.
“I think it would be a beautiful thing to have back on the town common if we could make it work,” he said.
“Iron Mike” water fountain photo shared at Select Board meeting
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The fountain was installed on the Common in 1911 thanks to a handful of women’s groups, led by Olive Augusta Cheney, who raised funds to bring a source of clean drinking water to the space and to discourage people from drinking booze. The fountain, which later became known as “Iron Mike,” seemed to be doing fine in the center of the common, but it was moved in the 1940s to the corner near Main and Central Streets, and that’s where it got nailed by a vehicle in the 1970s. The base had been shattered and the fountain was removed.
According to Vittoria, the fountain was assumed to have been tossed, but about a year ago someone who knew of his interest in local history told him they’d heard a Department of Public Works employee had saved the fancy bowl and had it in his backyard. Vittoria’s sleuthing led him to the widow of that employee and he learned from her that they’d given away the fountain bowl about 10 years ago. He then tracked down the new owner, who was willing to return it to the town given interest in restoring it and re-installing it at the Common.
Photo of fountain bowl presented at Select Board meeting
Having received the Natick Historical Commission‘s endorsement, Vittoria and other volunteers have been working on an restoration plan with a Natick resident named Jeff Buccacio, who is an expert in the field and already partners with the Department of Public Works to maintain town monuments and plaques.
It would cost $42K-plus to recast the base, restore the fountain bowl, and restore a lamppost rising from the bowl, said Vittoria, a fundraiser by profession and an Historical Commission member. It’s possible non-profit Natick Center Associates could play a part in accepting the funds, being raised by the volunteers.
Vittoria appeared before the Select Board to seek its OK to accept the fountain, approve where the roughly 3-foot wide item could be located on the Common, and determine whether the fountain would be a working one, or just a decoration with bubbling water sound. The Commission would like to see the fountain situated where it could be viewed with Clark’s Block and the First Congregational Church behind it.
There was unanimous support for the effort by the Select Board, though some difference of opinion as to whether the fountain should dispense water (maintenance and public health were mentioned as concerns).
The Board invited Vittoria to return in a couple of months with more information on a possible budget, funding sources, etc.
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A question on whether it should dispense water is a public health issue? I would welcome a place to fill my water bottle. Or even take a drink of cool water. Heck! I drank out of garden hoses for decades and I’m no worse for wear and tear.
Bring back a fully functioning Iron Mike!
I”d love to see Iron Mike back in the Common dispensing water to the thirsty.
Many towns have taken these fountains and converted them to beautiful flower displays. They have become the center piece in many town commons when filled with flowers of the season. Solves the water issue.