How the frogs returned to Sunhouse Fountain
The restoration of the circa 1928 Sunhouse Fountain on Cherokee Boulevard was a huge undertaking, but it has become an iconic spot for our city once again. Originally, around the rim of the circular fountain were 12 bronze frogs, with graceful arcs of water spewing from their mouths towards a central fountain of water that rises high. These bronze frogs were designed after an ancient Cherokee drawing depicting the legend of the Sunhouse. No one is sure when the frogs disappeared from the structure, but it’s been so many decades that no one could clearly recall when they were there. In fact, the only existing image of the frogs was taken from an old black and white home movie.
Not to be deterred, the Beautification and Preservation Committee found our very own resident artist to recreate the frog! Clark Stewart and his wife Judy have lived in Sequoyah Hills for over 30 years. Clark is a retired Emeritus Professor from the School of Art at UT where he taught drawing and painting since arriving in Knoxville from California in 1966.
Clark was able to examine the photograph and determine the exact dimensions of the original frogs. He then made a perfect model of the frog out of polymer clay. Clark conferred with the contractor for the project as well as the foundry where the frogs will be cast to determine the best design for interior piping of the frogs and how they will be secured to the fountain’s rim. Everyone had grown rather fond of Clark’s frog, it’s took on a personality all its own. In fact, Clark and Judy personally delivered the frog to Inferno Art Foundry in Union City, GA to begin the process of mold-making and casting the bronze frogs. Clark’s work is remarkable. We owe him a great debt of gratitude.
Funding for this project came from two sources. The KP-SHA Beautification and Preservation Committee was awarded a $30,000 State grant designated for the
restoration of the fountain. Additionally, a generous Sequoyah Hills resident has pledged $50,000 to be used for this big project.The first goal was to bring the “plumbing” of this 90 year old fountain up to current standards and codes. The second goal was to restore the fountain’s structural design back to its original grandeur.
On November 14, 2019, Knox Heritage and the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance recognized outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects contributing to the historic preservation efforts within a 16 county region. KP-SHA, Clark Stewart, and Dennis Jessie Tile & Masonry received a Knox Heritage award for the restoration of the Talahi Park Sunhouse Fountain.
A very special thank you to Melinda Ethier, KP-SHA Board Member and Beautification champion, for her vision, leadership and dedication to this multi-year project.
The next large project for the Beautification and Preservation Committee will be the repair/restoration of the iconic Panther Fountain. Panther Fountain will be a more costly and complex project. This fountain has suffered severe deterioration through the years. Many of the fountain’s unique components will have to be recreated. The obelisk is showing an alarming degree of deterioration and this must be stabilized as soon as possible. Currently, funds are still being raised for this important undertaking.