WCTU Fountain Restoration

The "new" masonry arch next to the depot is the re-creation of the water fountain that used to be in the center of town until 1968 or 1969. It was originally erected by the Women's Christian Temperance Union (hence the WCTU letters) which was a big part of the national movement toward Prohibition in the 1920s.

The cast fountain in the center is the original, and it has been fully restored.  The rest of the reconstruction was based on old photos and local residents' recollections of its dimensions and materials. All materials and labor were donated by local residents.

img-1346.webp

Below are some photos of the fountain at various stages of its 2019 restoration, along with some people you may recognize who were involved.  photo credit: Richard Edwards.

ground-breaking-orig.webp
img-0758-orig.webp
img-0785-orig.webp
img-0888-orig.webp
img-0895-1.webp
img-0789-1-orig.webp

We're looking for more information and/or pictures of the WCTU fountain.  Below are scans of the five photos we already have.  Please contact us if you can help with more images or history.

orig-fountain-orig.webp69321970-2159685034332098-3586532545266712576-o-orig.webp70137442-2159685134332088-8073973346028486656-o-orig.webp
img946.webp69542875-2159685160998752-2426359435057168384-o-orig.webp
Leesburg Area Historical Society a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization PO Box 63 Leesburg, OH 45135