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Founders Fountain in its glory days. Photo courtesy of Historical Society of Ocean Grove

By Mary Walton

What was once a handsome four-tier fountain, the centerpiece of Founder’s Park, today is a forlorn structure half its original size, surrounded by ugly orange plastic netting.

Constructed in 1907 by the J.W. Fiske Iron Works of New York, the fountain was already in disrepair when a vandal threw soap into it in the 1970s, clogging its plumbing forever. Gone are the top three tiers, the four urns that perched on its water-filled base and the pipe railing that surrounded it. The design on its pedestal featuring scallop shells, drills and tulips is barely visible, and the pedestal itself is deeply cracked and corroded. A ragged fringe of cannas and pink vinca encircle what’s left, representing a valiant attempt by Ocean Grove Beautification to improve its appearance. Grass sprouts from the top basin.

The netting was put in place lest the fountain topple over onto children who play in the park and might be tempted to climb it. Truth to tell, says Ocean Grove historian Ted Bell, the fountain sits in a solid cement base. “Two of us could not even budge it.”

But help for the fountain, says Bell, may be on the way.

Ted Bell at the fountain he hopes can be restored. Photo by Mary Walton

In his research, Bell discovered that a company in Alabama called Robinson Ironworks had purchased Fiske. From Luke Robinson, of the iron works, he learned that the company still had the original molds used to cast the fountain. And on Wednesday Robinson is arriving in Ocean Grove to evaluate the fountain for possible restoration. Under Bell’s leadership a committee of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove plans to explore the availability of federal, state and county funds. The other committee members are Society president Gail Shaffer, Liz Ogden, Phillis Keutgen, Darrell Dufresne and Rose Myers.

Founder’s Park is the most historic site in Ocean Grove, the very place where Methodist elders gathered in 1869 and decided to establish a religious community. Several trees that shaded that august gathering still cast their shadows over the lawn.

Fountains are in short supply in this corner of New Jersey. In a voice filled with optimism, Bell says the one in Founder’s Park is “the only soon-to-be-working fountain in Monmouth County.”