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Origination
The Kalamazoo Business and Professional Women's Club issues a design contest for a new fountain in 1936. The original winner of the contest is not Alfonso Iannelli, the fountain's designer, but rather his pupil. However, because of complications with electrical work in the fountains area, Iannelli takes over instead. Photo: early concept art of the fountain, image from Public History -
Construction
Through careful deliberation with Ianneli, a design was agreed upon by the Women's Club. Iannelli stated that his design conveyed, "The advance of the pioneers and generations to that follow, showing the movement westward, culminating in the tower symbol of the pioneer while the Indian is shown in a posture of noble resistance." Photo: Workers building the fountain, Public History -
Renovations and Reconsiderations
The city of Kalamazoo begins to discuss repairs to the fountain, as the 65-year-old statue begins to break down. Discussions over whether or not statue should be kept or not also begin to arise with growing controversy. Photo: The fountain has suffered damages to its concrete over the years. Image from Public History -
Rising Concerns
Concerns over the fountain increase over the years, as citizens begin to observe the pioneer standing over the native. Many citizens begin to question its very existence as it creates tension within the community. One resident, Jennifer Shoub, tells Fox Channel 17 news, "What it represents is the decimation of the Native American community in our own community." Photo: mLive -
Citizen Outrage
Suzanne B. Siegel sends a letter to the Kalamazoo Gazette. In the letter, Siegel voices her anger towards the fountain, labeling it "cruel" "life damaging," and "racist" as well as comparing it to slavery and the Holocaust. This attention to the fountain brought out a rising wave of dissent from other citizens of Kalamazoo, showing that Siegel was not alone in her thoughts. Photo: mLive -
National Register of Historic Places
The Fountain of the Pioneers is added to the National Register of Historic Places. The fountain is added for its rarity and complexity in the world of art, as it is believed to contain one of the only references to the Indian Removal Activity. Photo: National Register of Historic Places -
Increasing Infamy
The fountain gains an increased amount of publicity within the light of the events surrounding American society over confederate monuments across the country. An article is later published in the Wall Street Journal titled "The Statue Kalamazoo Didn't Demolish." The article discusses the destroying of other statues across the country and notes that the Fountain of the Pioneers should stay. Photo: A drape covers the Native portion of the statue. mLive -
Continued Preservation
Debates surrounding the fountain continue as the Fountain is confirmed by the city to be staying. Funds to reach the $2.8 million goal to restore the fountain are three-quarters of the way there. The project will not only repair damages to the fountain over the years but also help by providing education about the fountain and its history as well as that of the Natives. Despite this, many citizens and indigenous people still protest for the fountain to be removed entirely. Photo: mLive
