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Nicole Possert (Restore Oregon Executive Director) with Bill and Kit Hawkins. (April 12, 2026). -
The historic Elk Fountain returns to Portland after a careful rehabilitation project. -
Large crowd attended the public celebration of the historic Elk Fountain on April 12, 2026. -
In A Landscape’s Hunter Noack and Thomas Lauderdale pay musical tribute as part of the public celebration on April 12, 2026. -
Apparently, even The Royal Rosarians are taking their “hats off” to salute Bill Hawkins’ early and consistent advocacy to save the Elk Fountain in its entirety.
A Triumphant Homecoming for Portland’s Historic Elk Fountain!
The restoration of the historic Elk Fountain in Portland was completed and the bronze sculpture returned to its granite base just in time for a public celebration of its return on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Hailed by the Portland Parks Foundation as its “homecoming,” the event gathered a sizable crowd to welcome the return of this unique historic asset.
The project also showcases what’s possible, through a public/private partnership, when there’s a commitment to protecting and cherishing a community’s identity and cultural heritage. While owned by the City, many parts of the City had to figure out a path that satisfied all. Bringing back both the original fountain and the statue was not in the cards initially.
But a consistent voice for historic preservation came from Bill Hawkins and his unwavering commitment to the entire historic resource – the elk and the fountain. He raised awareness and funds, including his own, and kept building a coalition of more advocates, which ultimately included Councilor Dan Ryan, finally getting the City on board (and willing).
The nonprofit Portland Parks Foundation stood out as the nonprofit champion to not only hold the project “glue” together but raising the funds to get the critical study and planning phases completed. They hired historic preservation firm Architectural Resources Group to complete full contract drawings for the design and engineering while solving for today’s needs of a seismic upgrade, a water-saving recirculating pump for the fountain and a graffiti-resistant coating.
The City provided $1.5 million to return the Elk Fountain to its original location. Under the lead of the Water Bureau, they contracted the construction while the Regional Arts & Culture Council cared for cleaning and returning the bronze Elk statue. The fountain’s historic integrity will be preserved while using new technology to meet current standards. Parts of the granite fountain base needed to be remade from new granite sourced from the same quarry in Barre, Vermont that supplied the original stone.
From citizen advocates to architects to angel donors to a City willing to invest in heritage, it takes a village to bring new meaning and make new memories at the restored Elk Fountain.
History Overview*
The Thompson Elk Fountain was built in 1900 and named for its benefactor, David P. Thompson. Thompson served as Portland’s mayor from 1879 to 1882 and was a founder of the Oregon Humane Society. The bronze elk was sculpted by Roland Hinton Perry. The granite base and fountain were designed and built by H. G. Wright. The Elk Fountain’s base was damaged by fires and had to be removed during 2020’s downtown social unrest. The bronze elk statue did not need any restoration work; it was cleaned and safely stored while the City worked on the stone base.
*Information used from PPF website
Various articles about the Homecoming, history and background of the project:
- The Thompson Elk Fountain:
Power of Collaboration and Partnerships - Video - Portland Parks Foundation:
https://www.portlandpf.org/elkhomecoming - Deeper History on the Elk Fountain’s history:
https://www.portlandpf.org/thompson-elk-fountain-history - City of Portland:
https://www.portland.gov/water/improvements/construction/thompson-elk-fountain-restoration-project - The Oregonian (4/2026):
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2026/04/portland-celebrates-the-return-of-downtowns-elk-statue-landmark.html - Portland Mercury Editorial - The Black Bylline: “The Prodigal Elk Statue— and What is Really Means for Portland”