Kids fought to find fountain

For The Madera Tribune

This water fountain, built through the fundraising efforts of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, went missing for a couple of years until some elementary students teamed up with some local political leaders to track it down.

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Originally published on Aug. 17, 2017.

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Some time back, as I drove past that old Women’s Christian Temperance Union water fountain on the corner of Yosemite and D Street, a memory from our past came to mind. It included a couple of kids from Sierra Vista School, both of whom must be around 30 years old by now. One was Zach Pruitt, and the other was Antonio Ramirez.

Thanks to their curiosity and persistence, and some help from some local politicians, Madera’s landmark water fountain was found and finally brought home.

The WCTU monument, which looms large in the memories of many long-time Maderans, was reinstalled on its original site at the corner of Yosemite Avenue and D Street after being missing for quite a spell.