BY RAEGAN NEUFELD
Also known as the ‘lily pond,’ and ‘Picken Pond,’ to older FHSU alumni, the fountain in front of Picken Hall has been a part of campus life almost since the beginning. Over the years, goldfish and swimmers have enjoyed the fountain’s waters, and one former FHSU student even got married in front of the fountain in 1996.
This year, the fountain is undergoing a complete renovation.
“We are hoping to finish this project in time for Homecoming 2021,” Facilities Planning Architect Troy Steiner said.
Steiner said the decision to rebuild the fountain was made as a result of the worsening conditions of both the piping and stone.
Picken Hall was built in 1904, making it the oldest building on campus. The fountain was later constructed in 1938 as a National Youth Administration Work Project, according to Steiner. In past issues of the school paper, University Leader, and the yearbook, Reveille, pictures show that the fountain was a place for last-minute studying or simply a nice place to sit.
Lyman Dwight Wooster Photograph Collection 
Lyman Dwight Wooster Photograph Collection 
University Archives Photographs Collection
Steiner also mentioned the yearly maintenance that is done to the fountain, such as filling and draining the fountains and removing the necessary equipment in order to prepare the parts for fall and winter months.
“[The fountain will now have] new supply & return piping; new poured concrete footings, stem walls, floor & sidewalk in and around the fountain; new pitched-face stone coursing & caps; (3) new fountain water features; and new fountain equipment in the existing vault,” Steiner said.
It’s a lot of work, but the effort will be worth it when this staple of campus life is restored.