The City of Savannah’s Park and Tree Department, in collaboration with Landmark Preservation, LLC, has commenced restoration work on the Forsyth Park fountain. This marks the first significant restoration effort since 1988. As part of the process, the fountain was turned off today and drained to facilitate its removal.
On June 19, crews from Landmark Preservation and their subcontractor Robinson Iron Works will join city staff for a site visit to finalize logistics for removing the structure. During this visit, Robinson Iron Works will begin extracting smaller decorative elements such as urns and swans.
The complete removal of the fountain is set to start on June 23. Landmark Preservation plans to finish this task within one or two days. Following removal, the metalwork will be restored at Robinson Iron Works’ facility in Alabama before being returned to Savannah for reassembly and final site work.
Although a precise timeline for the fountain’s return is not available, it is expected that the entire restoration project will conclude by early fall, assuming no delays occur. The City Council approved this project during its meeting on May 22 and awarded a contract worth up to $650,000 to Landmark Preservation LLC.
The fountain remains operational but requires critical restoration to maintain its structural and historical integrity. This project represents the first time in over a century that the fountain will be absent from Forsyth Park. Consequently, staff have cleared any special events scheduled around the area during this period.
Robinson Iron Works will handle disassembly, recasting, and restoring original cast-iron components of the fountain. Additional efforts include masonry work on the basin as well as updates to surrounding fencing, water pumphouse plumbing, and electrical systems.
Originally designed as a central feature of Forsyth Park’s landscape, the fountain has undergone several changes since its initial installation in 1858. Modeled after J.P. Iron Foundry near Paris—ordered from Janes, Beebe & Co.’s catalog—the installation included enlarging its pool area before it was first activated in August of that year.
