SAVANNAH, Ga. () — This summer, the Forsyth Park fountain, one of Savannah’s most iconic landmarks, is undergoing a significant restoration. This will be the first major restoration work since 1988, with the fountain being fully removed for the process.
However, some residents are concerned about what will happen to the personalized bricks surrounding the fountain that many paid for decades ago.
In preparation for the full disassembly and restoration of this historic centerpiece, attention has also turned to the surrounding area. Residents are curious about the future of the signature bricks that accompany the fountain.
The city has confirmed that while the fountain is being taken off-site for restoration, the bricks will remain in place and be preserved. The bricks will undergo repointing, ensuring that the mortar between them is refreshed to maintain their stability.
These special bricks were originally sold in 1988 by a volunteer group called “Signatures of Savannah” to help fund a previous restoration. At $50 each, many families invested in these bricks to leave a lasting legacy.
One resident wrote in to asking, “Can we get them back if they’re going to tear up the fountain? My whole family has one each.” Now the city is reassuring the public in a statement sharing:
“The Forsyth fountain signature bricks will remain in place and be preserved during the restoration project. The brick area within the railing will be repointed. The signature bricks were sold by a volunteer committee named Signatures of Savannah (S.O.S.) in 1988. The committee was formed by then-chair of the Savannah Park and Tree Commission Mary Helen Ray to help fund a restoration of the fountain. The group raised over $80,000, which the city matched dollar for dollar, for the 1988 restoration project.”
So again, there are no plans to remove or discard the bricks. The fountain restoration budget is expected to cost around $650,000. The fountain is to be fully removed this month and is expected to return by early fall.
