The Public Square fountain has finally arrived and has been installed. The City has been receiving all kinds of questions regarding the fountain. So, we decided to provide information regarding the rebuilding of the fountain to hopefully explain some of the decisions that were made, when and why, and answer those questions for everyone.
A meeting was held in August 2025 with the previous City Manager, several city employees, and representatives from the Baird Foundation to determine how the fountain would be refurbished. This included decisions regarding the fountain color, and which pieces would remain attached or be removed. The Baird Foundation maintains the fountain on behalf of the City, so it was important that they be involved in the refurbishment process.
During that meeting, it was determined that the fountain would be painted white. The fountain was originally white, and that color was also chosen because it will help make calcium buildup less noticeable. Over time, minerals in the water can leave white calcium deposits on the fountain, particularly in areas exposed to water and sunlight. Because the fountain is white, these deposits will blend in with the fountain’s surface and be less noticeable.
As part of the refurbishment, the ram and goat masks were removed, and the arches at the bottom of the fountain were enlarged. Egg-and-dart-style lips were also added to the bowls, changing them from gravity-fed bowls to a more traditional fountain-bowl design.
The ram and goat masks were removed primarily because calcium buildup can occur inside the openings where the water flows out. Over time, these deposits can cause the openings to become plugged, requiring maintenance and cleaning of each individual mask. Removing the masks will reduce the amount of maintenance required and save the City both time and money on future repairs.
To clarify, these design and refurbishment decisions were made in August 2025, prior to Danette Miller’s employment with the City of Nelsonville and before she became City Manager. Although these decisions were not made by the current City Manager or staff, the information and reasoning behind them indicate that they were well-considered and appropriate decisions.
The next steps will be to complete the remaining plumbing work and apply an epoxy coating to the basin. The water will not be turned on this year due to the time of year and the approaching winter season. However, it will be a delight to see the fountain fully functioning when spring arrives.
We are all very happy to have the fountain back and look forward to enjoying it for many years as a beautiful centerpiece of the heart of Nelsonville’s Historic Public Square.
City of Nelsonville, Ohio Information Blog 