Fountain Square

Fountain Square. Versailles, Ohio. Fountain Square , James Chandler ("J. C.") Wood added the first addition to the original town plat of (Jacksonville) Versailles on August 14, 1837, increasing the number of lots from 20 to 51. Parts of lots 26 and 27 were set aside to be used for a Market Place., For the next thirty-eight years, as the town grew, Market Space was the site of the Town Hay Scales and an open Market Space for the village., The Town Hall was built in 1876, replacing the Hay Scales., The Lemoine Building was built in 1907. It once housed such businesses as John Speelman Music Store, Charles Bertke Shoe Store, Fountain Square Meat Market, Lester Pepiot Radio Repair, Paulus Furniture, Zellers Kroger Store, Jess Green Radios, Davidson Restaurant, Austerman Fruit Market, Phelan Insurance, McClellan's, Orpha's Beauty Shop, Fountain Restaurant, Clammers Justice of the Peace, Rigg's and Miller's Photography and Dr. McNeil, Veterinarian., The second floor was once a large ballroom, a skating rink and for awhile school classes were held upstairs while the new school was being built in 1926., Concert and Events , Fountain Square has been the site of concerts, ice cream socials and special events since 1908. Local Scouts have camped here. Halloween parades end near the fountain for judging. Santa Claus arrives here for the kickoff of the downtown Christmas shopping season. Miss Versailles was crowned here at our Sequecentennial Celebration. Friday night concerts on the square and Farefest are regular events held here today., Fountain Square was renovated in 2001. Improvements to the square included the relocation and restoration of the existing fountain, the addition of new decorative pavement, light fixtures, flagpoles, a gazebo and two beautiful bronzed sculptures. A dedication ceremony was held for the completed project on April 23, 2002., The Fountain , After the Lemoine Building was built, some citizens wished to beautify the town square by adding green space and a decorative fountain., At the Village Council meeting in July of 1908, B. F. Cable, Harry Didot and William Stevenson proposed to raise money to place a fountain on Market Square. Council consented, providing money would be raised by subscription. Funds were solicited for the addition of a Fountain. When the project stalled, the Altrurian Club raised the money to complete the project.