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ASHLAND, Ore. — Thanks to generous community support, the Ashland Parks Foundation has raised $800,000 to recreate the historic Butler-Perozzi Fountain in Lithia Park.
The fountain was originally carved from marble in Italy for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Expo, and was installed at Lithia Park the following year, where it became a well-known and loved landmark.
Harsh Weather Conditions Have Severely Damaged the Original Fountain Created in Italy in 1915
However, due to the harsh weather conditions in Southern Oregon and the soft texture of the Italian marble, the Butler-Perozzi Fountain has suffered severe cracking and mechanical issues, calling for a major renewal project.
The generous public contributions have enabled a steering committee, including architects and historic preservation experts, to launch a project to recreate the fountain with an exact replica.
This time, however, marble will be used that can withstand the harsh local weather conditions. The project has the support of the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office.
Over the years, the Butler-Perozzi Fountain has undergone numerous restoration processes. However, the president of the Ashland Parks Foundation and Construction Steering Committee, Mike Gardiner, says it has become clear that repeated repairs will not provide a lasting solution.
Local sculptors Jack Langford and Kevin Christman will reproduce the fountain in their Southern Oregon studio, using marble quarried in Vermont.
Outlier Construction, a local company, will rebuild the terrace, stairs, plumbing, and electrical systems surrounding the fountain. The original lower pedestal of the basin will be preserved and displayed adjacent to the new fountain.
Construction is scheduled to begin next month, with completion expected by Fall 2026.
Two nearby maple trees have caused severe structural damage to the fountain and will be removed before on-site construction begins.
The project will enshrine the beauty and structural integrity of the fountain for future generations enjoy.
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