KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — The Fountain of the Pioneers in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.
The crumbling fountain needs significant restoration work and efforts are underway to raise the money.
It was installed in 1940 and designed by Alfonso Iannelli as a depiction of the westward spread of the pioneers. It depicts a settler with what looks like a club in his hand towering over a Native American.
Some have criticized it as racially insensitive. Others say it accurately depicts how many Americans thought at the time, and should be used as a teaching tool.
Part of the restoration plan is to include a feature that explains all that.
