Hastings Turns on Historic Fountain Early, a Longstanding Symbol of Hope in Dark Times

April 22, 2020, 12:24 p.m. ·

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The Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain has been in Highland Park since 1933 (Courtesy: City of Hastings)

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The City of Hastings is relying on a long-standing symbol of hope to spread a little joy in the middle of a global pandemic. The city has turned on the water works by opening its historic fountain early.

The Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain in Hastings has brightened up Highland Park since 1934. In the 86 years since, it’s been a symbol of hope for Nebraskans during the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and a world war.

A digitized light system offers more than 2 million color-waterform combinations (Courtesy: City of Hastings)

Mayor Corey Stutte says in a statement the fountain even survived a dynamite attack in the 1980s. And now, it’s a reminder that Hastings can make it through the coronavirus pandemic

The fountain sprays water up to 67 feet in the air. Its 20 jets and nozzles make the fountain adaptable to dozens of different waterform configurations– and a digitized light system offers more than 2 million color-waterform combinations.

Mayor Stutte says he hopes as people walk by the fountain they look forward to better times, when the plaza can be a place where the community comes together again.