Breyman Fountain

Breyman Fountain, also known as the Breyman Brothers Fountain and Breyman Horse Trough,[1][2] is an outdoor fountain by an unknown sculptor,[3] installed in Willson Park, on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol, in Salem, Oregon, United States.

Breyman Fountain
The fountain in 2017
Year1904 (1904)
LocationSalem, Oregon, United States
Coordinates44.93925°N 123.03348°W / 44.93925; -123.03348

Description
Illustration of the fountain in the foreground and Oregon State Capitol in the background

The Smithsonian Institution described the fountain as abstract and "ornate".[3] The metal fountain measures approximately 10 feet (3.0 m) x 78 inches (2.0 m) x 70 inches (1.8 m), and rests on a concrete base that measures approximately 6 inches (15 cm) x 85 inches (220 cm) x 84 inches (210 cm).[3] An inscription on the upper back part of the fountain reads: "PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF SALEM OREGON / BY / BREYMAN BROTHERS / 1904".[3]

The fountain originally served as a watering trough for horses and, according to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, remains Willson Park's only historic structure from the era of the second capitol building.[4][5]

History

The fountain was donated to the city of Salem by the family of businessman Werner Breyman in 1904,[4][6] and installed near Cottage Street as a memorial to pioneers.[5] It was visible from the homes of both Breyman brothers.[2]

In the late 1930s, a statue installed atop the fountain was put into storage and went missing.[4][5] In the 1950s, a sculpture of an eagle replaced the doughboy statue, and flowers grew where horses once drank. According to family members, the sculptures adorning the fountain were melted and used as scrap metal during World War II.[2]

The fountain's condition was undetermined by the Smithsonian Institution's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in August 1993. It was administered by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services at the time.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Breyman Brothers Fountain – Salem, Oregon". Waymarking. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  2. Fuller, Tom (July 22, 2013). Oregon's Capitol Buildings. Arcadia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 9781439643693. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  3. "Breyman Fountain, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  4. "State Capitol State Park Walking Tour" (PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  5. "State Capitol State Park General Park Plan • 2010" (PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  6. "State Capitol Map" (PDF). Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
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