Henderson City Councilman Garry Daeke forwarded an email memo to WIZS from City Manager Terrell Blackmon. Blackmon sent the note to Mayor Eddie Ellington and the City Council.
It said after months of anticipation, the fountains at the intersection of Charles and Garnett streets would be activated about 7 a.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021. In the email Blackmon said, “Staff has met our goal to have the fountains (operational prior) to the July 4th holiday. The fountains will operate 24/7 and will be illuminated at night.”
There is no formal program scheduled at this time, but Blackmon said, “There will be a naming opportunity as well as benches that are being donated for the site which will allow us to celebrate the fountains at a later date.”
You are encouraged to enjoy the fountains, which are placed where the war memorial monuments had been across from First Methodist Church.
The war memorials have been moved around the corner to Young Street between Fire Station 2 with the clock tower and the old police station/municipal building. The memorials remember the names of heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and County in WW II, Korea, Vietnam and Irag.
Many years ago as it so happens, but long since gone now, there was a fountain near where the war memorials presently sit.
Also nearby is the memorial to Rebel the fire dog (1971-1984) and the time capsule, planted 30 years ago in 1991. It is due to be unearthed in 20 more years in 2041, surely to be part of the 200th anniversary of Henderson. The capsule was sealed during the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of Henderson. A huge celebration was held, including fireworks and much much more, on the blank field behind Bennett Perry’s house.
Today, that field is covered with the parking lot for and a portion of the courthouse, Sheriff’s Office and emergency management.