Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

The Haller Fountain

dedicated 1906

By J. J. Prats, May 19, 2015

1. The Haller Fountain Marker

Inscription. The Haller Fountain was brought to Port Townsend by resident Theodore N. Haller to honor his deceased father and brother. After the dedication speech, Mr. Haller read a poem about the Greek sea nymph, Galatea, and the statue has been known by that name ever since. Once planted as a flower bed and even used for performing trout shows, the fountain was eventually damaged beyond repair. After a community fundraising campaign, the fountain was re-cast in 1992. Galatea was unveiled in a public ceremony where she reclaimed her status as one of Port Townsend’s favorite landmarks.

The stairs behind the Haller Fountain lead to the historic uptown business district and other sites of interest. At the top of the stairs, visit the Rothschild House State Park Museum and the Bell Tower.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Man-Made Features.

Location. 48° 6.912′ N, 122° 45.43′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street and Taylor Street, on the right when traveling west on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bell Tower (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fire Bell Tower

The Haller Fountain, Steps and Marker image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, May 19, 2015

2. The Haller Fountain, Steps and Marker

The marker is in the foreground. A partial view of the fountain is to the left. The stairs to uptown are behind the palmetto.

(about 400 feet away); Kuhn Building (about 600 feet away); Starrett House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historical Marker (approx. 0.2 miles away); Guarding the Entrance to Puget Sound – Coast Artillery Corps (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Crockett Blockhouse (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . . Haller Fountain or Galatea. Page with excellent photograph on the Port Townsend Virtual Art Museum website. “Following its placement at the bottom of the Taylor Street Stairs, a local bar owner by the name of Charlie Lang reputedly placed and trained trout in the pool to jump through hoops. Later on a vehicle, which had driven down the stairs, collided with the statue and sent it into the street. Several paintings over the years obscured some of the finer details. Vandals also damaged the original although most of the missing pieces eventually returned when word got out they were needed for recasting. In 1958 the statue was removed for repairs, totaling 18 months of work. During the repair

The Greek Sea Nymph, Galatea image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, May 19, 2015

3. The Greek Sea Nymph, Galatea

process, Dr. Kennith Carter of Port Townsend came to the conclusion that the figure lacked shape and slightly modified her cup size.” (Submitted on December 7, 2015.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.