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Two elephant light standards framing a three tiered fountain stand in the small, triangular-shaped Plaza Vina Del Mar located in the heart of Sausalito, CA. The elephants were two of eight such sculptures which stood in the massive Court of the Universe, and served as the bases for 100ft. tall flagpoles. The “Italian” fountain was one of two which the architect William Faville, a Sausalito resident , placed before the half domes carved from the west wall of the elaborate facade he designed to encompass the main exhibit complex.
Faville had the originals ferried across the bay, and gave them to the City of Sausalito. Made of plaster and lathe the elephants were not constructed to last, and by 1935 had deteriorated to the point where the originals had to be replaced. At his own expense, the 70 year old Faville had concrete replicas of the elephants, dubbed Jumbo and Pee Wee by Sausalito residents, cast from molds taken off Pee Wee. He also paid to have repairs made to the facade and plumbing of the fountain. In 1977, the fountain was completely replicated with funds donated to the Sausalito Bicentennial Project.
Jack Tracy’s, Sausalito — Moments in Time provided valuable information for this history. An extract from his book was generously provided by Evert H. Heynneman of the Sausalito Historical Society.
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