The addition of a large black metal hat as a centerpiece brought disappointment and discussion between the family and the city of Belle Fourche.
Henry Hespe served on the Belle Fourche council for 10 years prior to becoming mayor from 1974 to 1977.
One of his goals was to find a workable answer to the problem of water pollution to the city’s water supply.
According to an article from the Belle Fourche Post and Bee from that time, Hespe said that “he believes it is important for the city to take care of those things which it has so the city is not jumping from one crisis to another.” He saw that the presence of good, pure water as important to the future of Belle Fourche.
He was a man dedicated to working hard for the city of Belle Fourche.
But the addition of the hat doesn’t represent the Henry Hespe or his way of life, according to family members.
In early August 2016, during the city’s budget discussions, the idea of refurbishing the fountain was brought up.
In the minutes from the August 9, 2016 museum meeting, Kristi Thielen, museum director, noted that the 2017 CIP included $20,000 for fountain refurbishment.
In April 2017, the museum minutes note that Thielen and Public Works Director Dirk Hoffman had met with Chad Carr who “will create the fountain center structure”.
Further minutes indicate that the process was in the works and the deadline was hopefully set for July 4, 2017.