Project overview
Last updated April 7, 2025
We are repairing the historic Thompson Elk Fountain and returning the iconic statue to its original location on SW Main Street. The Regional Arts and Culture removed the bronze elk statue from its perch and salvaged the remaining undamaged stonework in July 2020 after fires set in its base posed a risk of toppling the structure.
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What's happening now
The Water Bureau is proud to restore this beloved landmark. The Thompson Elk granite fountain base will be sourced from the same quarry that supplied the original fountain base in Barre, Vermont.
Here’s what must happen for this crucial step to be completed:
- The Water Bureau’s contractor shipped sample pieces of the salvaged granite fountain base to the quarry in Barre, Vermont.
- The quarry will use pieces from the original fountain base to cut slabs of granite matching the sizes needed to create new bases, then will ship the slabs to a stone fabricating company in Cleveland, Ohio.
- The stone fabricating company will sculpt and assemble the granite pieces to make sure everything fits, then ship the entire fountain base back to Portland to be installed permanently.
Happening next
The project is scheduled to start this summer and be completed in winter 2025. Timelines may change due to long lead times for specialized granite. Updates will be posted on this page.
Project objectives
The Water Bureau is a careful steward of natural resources and public water infrastructure including fountains. It is in this tradition that we are working to restore the Thompson Elk Fountain to its historic place on SW Main Street, between Chapman and Lownsdale squares. The project will:
- Restore, rehabilitate, and reinstall the fountain in its original location
- Comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties
- Increase the seismic stability of the Thompson Elk statue
- Retrofit the fountain with a recirculating water pump
The Thompson Elk Fountain has long been a community gathering place and a hub of activism for Portlanders. People have gathered at the fountain for generations not only to appreciate the artistry of the City’s second-oldest piece of public art but also to exercise free speech and engage in protest. In restoring the fountain, we acknowledge this history and work to promote healing and inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is restoring the elk statue and fountain?
The Water Bureau will lead construction contracting and oversight. The decorative stone fountain is managed and maintained by two City of Portland bureaus (the Water Bureau and Parks & Recreation), and the bronze elk artwork that adorns the fountain is managed by the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
Cedar Mill Construction Company will oversee construction and restoration of the Thompson Elk Fountain, with key subcontractors Pioneer Waterproofing, the Anderson Group, and A-Absolute Comfort Heating and Cooling.
What is the budget for this project?
Thanks to a partnership with the Portland Parks Foundation and the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the design phase of the project was funded through private donations. This investment accelerated the restoration process by as much as a year.
In September 2024, City Council unanimously voted to accept the proposed bid by Cedar Mill Construction of $1.79 million. With available funding of $2.2 million, the project is within budget. Of the $2.2 million, $1.79 million will be allocated to construction and $400,000 will be allocated to contract management. Any unused funds will be returned to the General Fund.
View the full procurement report for the Thompson Elk Fountain Restoration Project.
When will the project be completed?
Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Timelines are contingent on scheduling and the ability to acquire specialized material for this project. Construction updates will be posted to this page.
What will this project do?
- Restore, rehabilitate, and reinstall the fountain in its original location
- Comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties
- Source any stonework to be refabricated from the original quarry in Barre, Vermont
- Retrofit the fountain with a recirculating water pump
- Paint and update lighting for the fountain from two adjacent poles
When was the Thompson Elk Fountain built?
The Thompson Elk Fountain was built in 1900 and named for its benefactor, David P. Thompson, who served as Portland’s mayor from 1879 to 1882. A founding director of the Oregon Humane Society, Thompson wanted to pay homage to the wildlife that once roamed the city. The bronze elk—which stands 9 feet tall and weighs 3,000 pounds—was sculpted by Roland Hinton Perry. The granite base and water-spouting fountain were designed and built by H. G. Wright.
Why was the statue taken down?
The City removed the bronze elk statue and salvaged the fountain’s remaining undamaged stonework in July 2020 after fires set in its base posed a risk of toppling the structure.
What is the history of civic engagement around the statue?
The elk statue has been a site of political expression since the city’s early marches for women’s suffrage, most recently serving as a backdrop for protests against racial inequities in 2020.
The Water Bureau is proud to partner with the community to restore this beloved landmark.
How will the new fountain conserve water?
In addition to restoring the fountain and returning the elk statue, this project will install a recirculating water pump to improve the fountain’s water efficiency.
Recirculating the water in the fountain will save up to 18,720 gallons of water per day, which adds up to more than 6.8 million gallons per year. The amount of water saved will be enough to supply about 146 homes each year.
What should I expect when construction starts?
Construction timelines and activities may be altered by inclement weather, scheduling, and the ability to obtain materials.
Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Traffic patterns, road closures, and limited parking are subject to change near the construction area. Crews will work to mitgate any traffic obstructions on SW Main Street.
During construction hours, you can expect noise from saws, excavators, dump trucks, concrete pump trucks, and generators.
Where can I learn more?
Sign up for the project’s email newsletter for updates on construction activities.
Learn about the Thompson Elk Fountain’s history and journey home.
Learn about how funds were raised by Portland Parks Foundation to accelerate this project.
Read Resolution 37576 from May 11, 2022.
View the full procurement report for the Thompson Elk Fountain Restoration Project.
Experiencing a water emergency?
Is there water running from streets or sidewalks or in your home or basement? Please call the Water Bureau’s 24-hour Emergency Line at 503-823-4874, email dispatch@portlandoregon.gov, or visit report water service problem for more information.