Reminiscing With Crawfordsville Main Street

The community bid farewell to an old downtown friend, the Fountain at Marie Canine Plaza.

From the time it arrived twenty years ago summer of 2003, this plucky little fixture brought an annual dance of fun to the heart of downtown – to the delight of the littles and pleasure of parents as they watched their children enjoy the power of small earnest things.

The fountain helped turn the wheel of progress; yes it did. It called folks to a welcoming green space in their downtown historic district, inviting them to pause, relax, and consider places that tell our stories; to places that matter.

Soon we’ll be receiving a New Friend that echoes one of those stories – The Crawford Fountain at Marie Canine Plaza. This two-year project-in-the-making will reflect the architecture of the elegant Crawford Hotel that stood on this site 1900 – 1975, also serving as a popular gathering space for the community and its visitors.

Enjoy these memories of your old fountain friend – and maybe post a picture of your own in the comments below for others to enjoy. Be watching as The Crawford Fountain takes shape these next few months. We expect it will open fresh chapters of the city’s ongoing story – and build new memories of life in an authentic small town.

Please take a minute to appreciate the list of those who carried the vision of downtown progress in this space twenty years ago – included in this photo album.

Crawfordsville Main Street is grateful to the foresight of the Canine Family who began the Marie Canine Fund at the Montgomery County Community Foundation years ago. CMS receives annual assistance from this fund, used for Plaza upkeep and maintenance. Thank you MCCF, for your excellent stewardship of this fund. 

The Crawford Fountain project has been made possible in part by City of Crawfordsville American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds + Other Donations [to be announced soon]. Project design by Tiii Environments – build by Smock-Fansler Cooperation.