Haish fountain finds second life

Remember the sidewalk and fountain that local collector Jim Hovis saved from the Haish property? Those items have recently found new life.

The fountain that once sat on Jacob Haish's front lawn is now surrounded by pieces of sidewalk from the same original location. Jeff Marshall, of DeKalb, arranged these pieces together, giving them a second life. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Details of the Jacob Haish mansion fountain -- barbed wire. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

Jeff Marshall, Haish family descendant and enthusiast, has acquired these items and given them a new purpose. He has installed pieces of the limestone sidewalk beneath the original fountain that was featured on Jacob Haish's lawn.

Marshall, who owns his own landscaping company, was the perfect fit for putting this project together. With a little elbow grease, Marshall was able to revive some of the fountain's original color. He wanted the items to be displayed in a public place, but due to limited available options in the city of DeKalb, he installed these near his home. He encourages those who want to visit this display to contact him.

Click here to read the original story about the fountain, and click here for the original story on the sidewalk.

Haish Sidewalk Lives On

Slabs of the "Haish mansion sidewalk" are at a DeKalb warehouse. They are property of Jim Hovis. | Photo by Jessi LaRue

The sidewalk that once outlined Jacob Haish's property is still in use.

Jim Hovis, of DeKalb, salvaged the limestone sidewalk 15-20 years ago, he says, when he witnessed it being discarded in dump trucks while it was being replaced with concrete. 

The top surface of the sidewalk has obvious wear and tear, but the bottom of the limestone sidewalk is very smooth.

Local lore (and the photo below) tell that the sidewalks near Haish's mansion were a popular gathering spot, particularly for children. Stories say that the smooth, limestone sidewalks were the best in town for marbles, roller skating and more.

A photo shows children playing on the sidewalk outside of the Haish mansion. | Photo provided by Steve Bigolin

Today, slabs of the limestone sidewalk are kept at one of Hovis' DeKalb warehouses. He has also put pieces of the sidewalk to use -- they are now steps outside of the office of his company, Hearing Help Express, located near downtown DeKalb at 105 N. First St.

Jim Hovis, sits on steps that were made of the limestone "Haish sidewalks." The steps can be found near the parking lot outside of Hearing Help Express, 105 N. First St., in DeKalb. | Photo by Jessi LaRue