It’s incredible to think that not too long ago, the city wanted to tear this thing down. The Tepee at Hogan’s Fountain has been part of the Cherokee Park landscape since 1965 when C.G. Campbell and Sons finished the project they had been commissioned for to the tune of $49,915. It survived a gnarly tornado in 1974, and a few attempts to remove it from existence. Now, 49 years later, the $65,000 roof replacement is under way and scheduled to be completed by February.
Supporters of the Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion recognize this structure as a significant architectural feature of our most impressive Cherokee Park. It’s a great place for gatherings and parties and picnics, and it also raises around $12,000 or more per year for Metro Parks. Because of the overwhelming support, Metro Parks allowed a stay of execution for the Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion in 2010, allowing time to raise funds for needed repairs. Supporters rallied and raised the funds necessary to complete Phase I of the restorations, which is the new roof being put into place by American Roofing and Metal Co.
It has been a long and bumpy road for the grassroots preservation group with obstacles including: navigation of the procurement regulations that spell out how to receive bids on park-owned property, an asbestos curveball that could have killed the project, and certain local nay-sayers that have tried their hardest to stand in the way, however it would appear that since renovation is already underway, the pavilion-saving citizens have won! 
With that being said, there is also a Phase II for this renovation, which includes masonry repairs, lighting, and other updates. All funds for Phase II of the Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion preservation have not been acquired yet. So with this being the season of giving, I would encourage you to give a little Christmas gift to yourself and others in the city of Louisville, and donate to the cause. If you have never been to the Hogan’s Fountain Tepee, maybe it’s about time you visited. You might just figure out how special it is.
Highlands Home Place 