An Icon of Lititz Springs Park
The lion's head has been a prominent icon to Lititz Springs Park since 1857. In addition to its beautiful stream, its shaded walkways and its well-kept natural environment, Lititz Springs Park was enhanced by an elegant carving of a lion's head by one of Lititz natives, Julius Augustus Beck. The carving was strategically placed to the right of the springhead. Choosing as his model, the world famous "Lion of Lucerne" in Switzerland, Beck had hoped to incise all of the head, the shoulders and the forepaws of the "king of beasts." However, because of the extreme hardness of the rock, ruining his chisels, he abandoned his original plans.
On April 26, 2005 it was discovered that the priceless lion's head carving had been defaced beyond recognition. A special Lion's Head Restoration Committee was appointed by the Lititz Springs Park Board of Trustees to determine how the lion's head could be restored. After careful consideration it was determined by the Committee that to restore the lion's head would not be feasible. Realizing the dream of Mr. Beck, it was decided that a full lion, symbolic of the "Lion of Lucerne" be carved out of granite and placed directly above the original lion's head. This full lion completes Julius Augustus Beck's original dream.
Dedicated July 2, 2006
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Man-Made Features • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 2005.
Location. 40° 9.435′ N, 76° 18.712′ W. Marker is in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lititz Springs Park, 24 North Broad Street, Lititz PA 17543, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Steps of Progress" (here, next to this marker); Lititz Boy Scout Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); July 4th Candle Illuminations (within shouting distance of this marker); Springs Head-End (within shouting distance of this marker); Last Memorial Day Encampment (within shouting distance of this marker); Arched Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Music Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul E. Beck Memorial Band Shell (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lititz.
Also see . . .
1. Lititz Springs Park History. (Submitted on November 12, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Vandals smash Lititz Lion (LNP-LancasterOnline, 2005). (Submitted on November 12, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 12, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
