YOUNGSTOWN
Hydrants get makeover for history
YOUNGSTOWN — The British, French and Iroquois are coming, but this time, they will be only about 2 feet tall.
The town soon will paint 28 fire hydrants that line Main and Lockport streets to resemble British and French soldiers and American Indians to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the 1759 siege of Fort Niagara during the French and Indian War.
The project — conceived by Youngstown booster Harriet Tower— is part of the village’s effort to support a massive re-enactment July 3 to 5 at Old Fort Niagara of the 19-day siege in which the fort fell to British control.
“It was a hugely important event, and one that affects our daily lives to this day,” said Robert Emerson, executive director of Old Fort Niagara. “We’re not speaking French here, and we don’t have French customs or a French legal system. It had consequences that stretch into this day.”
The commemoration is expected to draw more than 2,500 re-enactors.
Artists Rachel Schiff and Deb Austin have developed prototypes of the British, French and American Indian-themed hydrants and will paint them over the next few weeks, Tower said.
“We thought it was a great idea from the very beginning,” Emerson said.
Emerson said the Old Fort Niagara Association provided artwork of the soldiers and Indian warriors so that the artists could make their images as accurate as possible — with a little artistic license.
“Fire hydrants are shaped a little different than people,” Emerson said. “That’s where the artistic part comes in.”
The British hydrant is painted in bright red, yellow and white; two eyes peer out from under the top.
Tower, who approached the town for permission to paint the hydrants several years ago, said she got the idea during a visit to East Aurora, where she saw hydrants painted like toys in honor of its annual Toy Fest.
Tower said she wanted to bring the idea north.
“I just thought it would highlight the historic attributes of our community,” Tower said.
Tower said organizers are looking for additional people to sponsor the hydrants, at $25 each, to help cover the costs.
While the artists made efforts to reflect the colors and styles of the historical figures, the hydrants will strategically be out of place.
Emerson initially suggested that the British soldiers line one side of the street while the Frenchmen line the other side.
“But,” Tower said, “our fire hydrants are all on one side of the street.”
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