Project overview
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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Happening now
Last updated July 3, 2025
Construction on the Thompson Elk Fountain project is starting July 7, 2025.
First, crews will set up equipment and fencing around the project area. Then they will remove the fountain base and boulders.
Road closures
This project requires road closures on SW Main Street from SW 3rd Avenue to SW 4th Avenue, between Lownsdale and Chapman Squares. Closures will last through winter 2025.
Detour routes will change as work progresses. Traffic signs and flaggers will direct travelers around the closure areas. Use caution and follow all instructions when passing through the area. Stay alert and be prepared for traffic to suddenly slow or stop.
Happening next
- Crews will dig a trench for the new fountain vault, which will hold the fountain’s water underground. This stainless-steel vault will be installed this summer underneath the stone fountain base.
- Crews will also prepare to install plumbing and electric for the recirculating water pump. 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.
What to expect during construction:
Construction timelines and activities to change due to weather or other scheduling needs
Work hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
Changing traffic patterns due to road closures
Limited parking near the construction area
Noise from saws, excavators, dump trucks, concrete pump trucks, and generators
Historic granite restoration
The Water Bureau’s contractor shipped sample pieces of the salvaged granite fountain base to the quarry in Barre, Vermont, that supplied the original granite for this beloved landmark.
The quarry used the original granite pieces as templates to cut slabs of granite to the correct sizes needed for the new base pieces. Then the slabs were shipped to a stone fabricating company in Cleveland, Ohio.
The stone fabricating company is working to make new stone elements to replace the damaged pieces. They are sculpting the granite pieces and assembling them to make sure everything fits. Then they will ship the pieces back to Portland for installation.
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.
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.