In 1895, Anna B. Peet presented the village of Nichols with a water fountain in memory of her husband, John Benjamin Peet. Mr. Peet, born and raised in Nichols, had prepared plans for this fountain, but died before the project could be completed. As designed, the original fountain was topped with a kerosene street lamp and provided separate watering facilities for horses, dogs, and humans. It was placed at the point of the Nichols green.

As automobiles replaced horse traffic, the fountain fell into disuse, and as it deteriorated, the Nichols Improvement Association considered selling it for scrap.

In the early 1930's, Lewis D. Christie, Sr., the NIA Chairman, took on the project of turning the horse trough into the Bunny Fountain most people remember. After the base was moved to the triangle at Unity Road and Huntington Turnpike, Mr. Christie removed the lamp, cast a larger water basin, and added the now familiar bunnies, mushroom, and cattails. Water and electricity for the fountain were provided through lines from Mr. Christie's home.

With Mr. Christie's declining health and death, the fountain again fell on hard times. In the early 1970s the fountain was moved again, this time onto NIA property directly across from its previous site. In May, 1971, it was rededicated in memory of both Mr. Peet and Mr. Christie.

Over the next twenty years, weather, pranksters, and outright vandalism took their toll on the fountain. In October, 1992, the membership of the NIA, under the leadership of then president Pete Elshout, voted to undertake a major restoration of the fountain. Barry Unger, current NIA president, was chose to direct the project.

With fundraising efforts led by Wesley Sage, and through pancake breakfasts, the sales of "Nicholswear" t-shirts and sweatshirts, and from the success of two Jingle Bell Run road races, over $40,000 was raised to complete the project we celebrate today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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