Salisbury Fountain

About

On Sept. 20, 2014, village officials, residents and local leaders gathered to rededicate the fountain after a major restoration in time for its 100th anniversary. The cast-iron fountain, a fixture in the village since 1914, was originally donated by Mrs. Abraham Salisbury in memory of her husband. A plaque on the fountain also recognizes the Women’s Christian Temperance Union for its role in supporting the installation.

Standing over nine feet tall, the fountain is made of bronzed iron, now painted silver, and sits at the heart of the village. The $15,000 restoration was funded through a streetscape grant, part of a larger $250,000 building improvement grant awarded to Holley in 2012. Originally designed for both ornamental and functional purposes, the fountain includes a horse trough, a sanitary drinking fountain for the public and a lower basin for dogs.

The project was led by the Department of Public Works, with contractor K.M. Verhagen handling the sandblasting. The fountain also received new stainless steel hardware, repaired castings and detailed paintwork by local artist Tony Barry to highlight its Victorian motifs and dedication inscriptions.

In addition to the restoration, the village upgraded the fountain’s infrastructure and reconnected it to the municipal water supply. Since its rededication, the fountain has remained fully operational and continues to serve as a focal point of the Public Square. Today, it stands as a lasting symbol of Holley’s dedication to preserving its history and enhancing its public spaces.