Baker Fireman’s Fountain restoration work to resume in April

Work on the Baker Fireman’s Fountain site in the Courthouse Square will resume in early April, weather permitting, according to officials with the Owego Hose Team. The 104-year-old fountain is currently undergoing restoration at Robinson Iron in Alexander City, Alabama. Robinson Iron estimates the work on the fountain is more than 50 percent complete at this time.

The zinc fireman statue cradling a baby has been repaired, and they repainted its existing colors with white trousers, blue coat and black fire helmet. The base of the fountain, including the fountain pool walls, pedestal stem and upper bowl, are returning to the fountain’s original dark green color. The hose team chose “Charleston Green,” which is a paint that works well with cast iron and will accentuate the fireman’s colors. 

Erected in 1914, the fireman and baby were originally bronze in color with the dark green fountain base. In 1953, local painter and World War I veteran Harry McCoy repainted the fireman with blue trousers, white coat, and red helmet in preparation for the Central New York Firemen’s Convention held in Owego that year for $10. The fireman was later repainted his current colors in the 1960s.   

Excavation work will take place in April and the pouring of the fountain base soon after. A new water line and electric will be supplied to the site for a new pump and lights that will illuminate the fountain at night. The Owego Jayncess had floodlights installed at the fountain site in 1954 and the lights will once again return this year. Once the base is poured, the restored fountain will return and be installed by Robinson Iron. Other components of the project include a memorial walkway leading to the fountain from Main Street; a stamped concrete Maltese Cross surrounding the fountain honoring Owego’s five Fallen Firefighters; and new William G. Pomeroy historic marker on the west side of the fountain. 

An additional feature the hose team is adding to the project is a brick walk around of the fountain with four 1,000-pound stone benches so visitors may sit and enjoy the fountain. The memorial walkway and brick walk around concept are modeled after the Walk of Honor at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The same brick type used at the Emmitsburg Memorial from Glen Gery Bricks is being used in Owego also. The hose team anticipates the project’s completion in early summer barring any unforeseen issues.

Fundraising for the project continues with the Owego Hose Team Memorial Golf Tournament set for June 1, 2019 at Tioga Golf Club. The 3rd annual tournament has become one of the largest charity tournaments in the Southern Tier, with 65 teams and 260 golfers participating. Registration and sponsorships are available at www.owegohoseteams.com. Memorial bricks continue to be sold as well with the number sold at 450. Bricks for the Memorial Walkway can be purchased on the hose team website, www.owegohoseteams.com. 

Planning for the fountain rededication is underway with talks of a ceremonial dinner, rededication ceremony; grand firemen’s parade and hose race to be announced in the near future. 

Project status information is available on the hose team website and Facebook page @owegohoseteams.