Viewfinder: LaSalle Fountain Adds Touch of Elegance

The fountain on LaSalle Boulevard in Huntington Woods has had its ups and downs over the years.

Originally built to add a hint of je ne sais quoi to a boulevard lined with model homes, it fell into disrepair before becoming a planter next to the replacement fountain that gurgles at the popular gathering site today.

Years ago, as the city was being developed, LaSalle between Meadowcrest and Newport was a block of builder model homes, said.

"It was built as a boulevard because it's so much more elegant than a regular pedestrian street," he said, adding that the city only permitted builders to construct two of the same home styles on each block. "The architectural styles on LaSalle are what you'll see replicated throughout the city. The fountain originally was installed as an enhancement to the model homes on the street."

However, the fountain fell into disrepair.

Lebow, who has lived in the city for more than 30 years, said that during the first 20, the fountain was dry.

"It was like, why doesn't somebody do something about that," he said. "And, then the Men's Club came along."

The Huntington Woods Men's Club has raised more than $1.25 million since 1975 for community improvement projects including restoration of the fountain.

The organization raised $30,000 to redo the plumbing and electrical at the site, purchase a new fountain and have it installed, Lebow said.

The original fountain has been turned into a planter.

"(The project) has really transformed the street," Lebow said.

Lisa Giesecke, who has lived across from the fountain in the historic Fred A. Baker House for the past 24 years, was outside weeding earlier this week ahead of Music in the Woods at the LaSalle fountain on Sunday. The concert, which will kick off at 3 p.m. and feature flute and harp players, is one of many gatherings that occur at the city landmark.

"A few times around graduation, there have been soap and bubbles in there, but they dissipate," Giesecke said. "People stop by. Dogs get a drink. Middle school kids tend to congregate. It's really nice when they turn it on in the spring. Sometimes it sounds like it's raining all the time when you leave the window open."

Lebow, who lives near the fountain, said it also brings out the romance in visitors.

"We see lovers late at night sitting on the bench smooching," he said.