Originally	Today

Veterans Memorial Fountain dedicated May 30, 1969.  Location, Florence Ave. - Florence Place - confluence.

          VETERANS MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN...........By Wade Mansur

(Reprinted from his last article in a four-part series on the Cultural and Beautification program during the last your years in the Bell Gardens "Review" edition March 29, 1970. This article featured a special look at the fountain at Florence Avenue and Toler.  Mr. Mansur, a speech and hearing specialist for the Montebello Unified School District, was appointed to the Cultural and Beautification Commission in August of 1966 by Councilman Virno Panicacci.  He also acted as advisor on the formation of El Rancho San Antonio Historical Society in June of 1967, furnished the revised By-Laws, and otherwise steered the organization of the very successful group.)

"The Bell Gardens City Council meeting in regular session April 24, 1967, discussed the possibility of a plaque being installed in City Hall in memory of Bell Gardens' men who had given their lives in the service of their Country.  Council referred this matter to the Cultural and Beautification Commission (under Chairman Edith Sugden) to study and submit a recommendation.  They also indicated that the Commission contact Veterans' groups for their suggestions.

Approximately 20 Veterans, community and civic groups were contacted or interviewed.  First attempt to secure an accurate list of names of decreased servicemen proved to be futile.  This appeared to make the idea of a plaque not feasible. There were several other proposals offered such as: erecting a plaque in the City Hall foyer, erect a war memorial on City Hall grounds in front of the Council chambers, dedicate Bell Gardens City Park as a "War Memorial", erect a war memorial with a suitable plaque in memory of all servicemen, living and dead in the park, and utilize possible sites at Florence Place and Florence Avenue or Garfield and Eastern Avenue as potential memorial sites.

Finally consensus of all community leaders was to create a project which would be visible and everlasting memorial for all men and women who served their country.

As a part of the Master Beautification Plan, the commission selected the Florence Avenue and Florence Place site to build the Veterans Memorial Fountain.  In order to avoid legal complications and to truly make this a community project, a private group of citizens was formed by the commission.  This group (composed of President, Edith Sugden, Wade Mansur, Hazel Perkins who acted as vice-president and treasurer, Henry Miller, Hy Paul, Mabel Gossett.  Iris Tautfest and LeBanah Winchester) became the Veterans Memorial Committee, which would administer, organize and finance the project."

Additionally, the City of Bell Gardens started the fund-raising activities with a contribution of $500.00.  The balance of the funds came from civic minded individuals, service clubs, local businessmen's organizations, and many projects and activities too numerous to mention but sincerely appreciated.

"On May 30, 1969, Memorial Day services were held at the site with United States Congressman Del Clawson as the major speaker.  Over $8,000.00 had been collected to pay for the memorial.  The Veterans Memorial Fountain was officially turned over to Mayor Claude Booker representing the City of Bell Gardens.  It has since become one of the outstanding landmarks of the City." 

Info Coutesy of: El Rancho San Antonio Historical Society of Bell Gardens and Bell Gardens Library