North Dakota

The Park River WCTU Fountain was constructed in 1906 in Park River, ND, by Ed Herwik (his stamp is still visible on the east side of the fountain base). The monument was a gift to the community sponsored by the Park River chapter of the WCTU and dedicated at the state WCTU Convention in 1906. It is located in the “Little Park” or "Village Green," a block west of Park River’s main street on land that was donated to the city by A.H. Bode in the late 1800s. The Park River WCTU Fountain reads, “For Humanity’s Sake.” It was constructed of concrete and Scotch Granite.

Damage to the structure occurred early in its history. Photographs show that approximately 15 years after its construction, numerous pieces of the monument were broken, replaced, or missing. It was "restored" in 1984 but the methods used have actually hastened its deterioration and replacement components used were not historically accurate. The Save the Fountain Committee is presently coordinating with the ND State Historic Preservation Office and a masonry restoration company out of Winnipeg to preserve and restore the fountain to its original condition as much as possible.

(Text courtesy of Agatha Frisby, architectural historian)

For more information about the efforts to restore the Park River Fountain, as of 2022, contact