Fountain

This bronze and concrete sculpture expresses Hillsdale County's heritage. The branch of the top of the open circle symbolizes the original deep forestland; the curve of the hills at the bottom, the glacially contoured terrain. The figures moving across the center represent the human history of the county - the Pottawattomi Indians befriending the first settlers. The water jets represent Hillsdale County's unique geography as the birthplace of five major Michigan rivers. The St. Joseph, Grand, and Kalamazoo rivers flow westward into Lake Michigan. The St. Joseph of the Maumee and Raisin rivers flow eastward into Lake Erie. This commemorative fountain was funded by private donations, a grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts, and built with the aid of volunteers.