Ranch restoring historic fountain
A fountain installed around 1900 that has been out of service for years will work again if the O’Keefe Ranch near Vernon can raise about $2,000.
Cornelius O’Keefe had the fountain installed around 1900, the ranch operators said in a news release.
Inspired by his son, Tierney, who would have been 107 this year and devoted himself to upgrading the ranch when he took it over in 1929, the current operators are also in the midst of a restoration project.
Last year, donors contributed $1,100 toward fountain repairs. The goal is to get it operating by this summer.
“Like most improvements to an historic site, repairs and maintenance to aged structures can be a challenge,” said Kelly MacIntosh, marketing and events co-ordinator.
“And because repairing the fountain is not urgent, it was left for years. It would be wonderful to see the fountain working when guests arrive this season.
There is significant meaning to the fountain like everything else we present at the ranch,”
Donations for the fountain project can be made by contacting the O’Keefe Ranch at 250-542-7868, or by making a donation online at okeeferanch.ca/about-us/donations. The ranch is now a charitable organization and will reopen for the season in May.