Thompson Elk Fountain restoration project | Portland.gov

Last updated October 15, 2024

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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On September 18, 2024, Portland City Council approved a contractor to oversee construction on the Thompson Elk Fountain restoration.

Contractors will be sourcing the granite from the same quarry in Barre, Vermont, that supplied the granite for the original fountain. Masons will match the new pieces to the historic base.

Construction is within budget and scheduled to be completed in 2025.

SW Main Street between SW 3rd and 4th Avenues

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 includes:

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.

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.

As of July 2023, $2.2 million had been secured to fund the Thompson Elk Fountain Restoration Project: $700,000 from insurance and $1.5 million from the City’s General Fund, as approved by City Council in the fiscal year 2023–24 budget.

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.

Watch the City Council Meeting on September 18–19, 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

View the full procurement report for the Thompson Elk Fountain Restoration Project.

Watch the City Council Meeting on September 18–19, 2024.

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