WCTU Water Fountain back in commission

Linda Postenrieder's Blog - Posted June 5, 2008 2:27:24 PM

It was a great crowd for the official first drink from the restored WCTU water fountain. The Pelican Runners, Petaluma Wheelmen, Susan Villa, Jim Johnson, Ellen Saulsbury of the Central Valley WCTU chapter, Isaac Wickersham, William Pepper, were among this 7am group.

Donna Hinshaw, co-owner of Pelican Art Gallery and founder of the Pelican Runners group introduced the event with a bit of history of the fountain and the 9 month process she initiated to get the fountain operational. Her passion for running merged with her new passion of Petaluma History to prompt the search for someone who could help get the fountain back up & running. Larry Zimmer, city employee, was the primary contact at City Hall, working through the details of getting the project through the system. It was put in place by the WCTU chapter in 1891 as an alternative to the drinks served in the bars & saloons catering to the dock workers and sailors.

Isaac Wickersham (portrayed by Petaluma Museum's Marshall West) and William Pepper (portrayed by Bill Hammerman) talked about how rough the neighborhood was in those days and how much the corner had changed over the years. One of the SAGE members, Harlan Osborne remembers over 50 bars in the concentrated area of Petaluma Downtown in the 1950s.

With help from Susan Villa (Petaluma Museum) and Katherine Rinehart (Sonoma County Historical Research) it was determined that the fountain was restored on 4 separate occasions in 1952, 1955, 1979 and 1992. At some point, the fountain, reportedly due to an encounter with a VW Bug, stopped working and the parts disappeared. Copper Works built the new parts and Joe's Plumbing hooked it up.

Mayor Pam Torliatt commended the project as part of broader effort in the City to restore our historic assets. She took the first drink followed by Donna & others in attendance. It was a great way to start the day!

Congratulations to Petaluma and thanks to Donna and all who contributed to the project!

Donna Hinshaw, in running garb, with Mayor Pamela Torliatt, in bike commuting garb, next to the newly operational WCTU fountain at Western Ave. and Petaluma Blvd. N..


Donna Hinshaw, Isaac Wickersham (Marshall West), William Howard Pepper (Bill Hammerman), Mayor Pamela Torliatt.
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Ellen Saulsbury, WCTU representative, taking a sip of water from the WCTU fountain.
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Rick Moeller, Petaluma Wheelmen representative, taking a sip of water from the WCTU fountain.
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