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Portland Hydrant

 

recycled stoneware

16'' x 33'' x 25''

2025​​​

Home to 30,000 fire hydrants across the city, Portland has the widest range of hydrant designs in the country. Hydrants were produced locally between the years 1864 and 1933. In the early 1900’s, local forgeries competed on price and design to be the city’s choice for manufacturing. The 1912 deal ended with the installation of these hydrants. Appropriately called “the most ambiguous” of Portland’s hydrants, it is the sole iteration with no forgery name printed on it. This Portland-made hydrant supported the city for over 100 years with the purpose of utility, not recognition. This project honors the unrecognized or underappreciated labor that continues to support the function and safety of our city.

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