To the editor:

At the Newman City Council meeting of June 10,the downtown plaza was one of the main topics.

It was brought up about putting the John Sharp Monument in the plaza.

People asked, who was John Sharp? Of course, I couldn’t answer but I did some research and this was what I learned.

It was because of his love of Newman that he wanted this monument donated. It was put up 50 feet west of Main Street on Fresno Street in order to serve as many people as possible without obstructing traffic.

Built in 1915, it was a watering stop for people, horses and automobiles.

Sharp donated $2,500 to build an ornamental marble drinking fountain with sanitary “bubblers,” troughs for the horses and a convenient tap for the automobiles.

The monument was moved to its present site in 1926.

John Sharp was not a native of Newman. He was born in Virginia and came here in 1885.

Although it is now weather-beaten and its fountains no longer work, the monument is still a reminder of one man’s devotion to his community.

This was a wonderful thing this man did for Newman, and it came from his heart.

As someone who remembers the John Sharp Monument in the park all her life, I hope to see it in the park the rest of my life.

Mary Moore

President, Newman Historical Societ

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