"VISITING" WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

HUELL HOWSER>> WELL, IT'S ABOUT 9:45 ON A THURSDAY MORNING.

WE'RE AT THE CORNER OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND LOS FELIZ, RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE TO GRIFFITH PARK.

IT'S KIND OF A GRAY, FOGGY, OVERCAST MORNING, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THERE'S NOTHING DOWNBEAT ABOUT THIS OCCASION.

WE ARE HERE FOR ONE OF THOSE LANDMARK LOS ANGELES DAYS.

THIS IS A DAY, LITERALLY, FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS.

AND HERE TO TELL US ABOUT IT IS LAVELLE LUND.

NOW, TELL US WHAT TODAY IS ALL ABOUT AND WHY WE'RE STANDING IN FRONT OF THIS FOUNTAIN.

LAVELLE LUND>> I THINK THIS IS REALLY MEMORIAL DAY, BECAUSE 1940 IS WHEN THIS WAS ORIGINALLY DEDICATED IN MEMORY, OF COURSE, OF WILLIAM MULHOLLAND WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE LOS ANGELES WATER SYSTEM AND THE LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT.

IN 1940 THE CITIZENS OF LOS ANGELES BANDED TOGETHER.

IT WAS A CITIZENS' COMMITTEE, AND THEY PUT IN MONEY FROM SCHOOLS AND FROM VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND BUILT THIS FACILITY.

IT WAS ONLY $35,000 IN THOSE DAYS.

HUELL>> NOW, WAIT A MINUTE, LET'S REPEAT THAT AGAIN FOR EVERYBODY.

THIS FOUNTAIN WAS BUILT IN 1940 IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR $35,000.

LAVELLE>> IT WAS COMPLETED IN 1940 AND DEDICATED ON AUGUST 1, AND IT WAS $35,000.

IT WAS A DONATION FROM THE VARIOUS PEOPLE IN THE CITY INCLUDING SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN HERE TODAY TO COMMEMORATE THEIR PARTICIPATION BACK IN THOSE DAYS.

HUELL>> WELL, HERE ARE THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

HERE ARE SOME OF THEM RIGHT HERE.

THESE, I THINK, ARE FROM JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL.

LAVELLE>> FROM JOHN MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL.

HUELL>> THEY ARE PERFORMING FOR US, THE BAND IS BLARING AWAY OVER HERE AND I THINK SOME OF THE POLICE HAVE ARRIVED ON HORSEBACK.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE POURING IN HERE.

THE CHAIRS ARE ALL SET UP BECAUSE THIS IS THE REDEDICATION.

LAVELLE>> CORRECT, IT'S A REDEDICATION AFTER A REFURBISHING THAT STARTED LAST SPRING.

YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FOUNTAIN BECAUSE OF THE ARAB OIL EMBARGO.

WE HAD TO TURN IT OFF BECAUSE IT WAS A SYMBOL OF NOT USING FUEL OIL.

AND THEN ALSO OUR SEVERAL DROUGHTS THAT WE'VE HAD.

SO, IT JUST DIDN'T GET USED AND THE EQUIPMENT BECAME VERY OLD AND ANTIQUATED.

SO, WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS COMPLETELY AS IT EXISTED IN 1940 ON THE SURFACE, BUT I CAN ASSURE UNDERNEATH THERE'S A BRAND NEW ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL COMPUTER-GENERATED SYSTEM.

IT WILL BE OUTSTANDING.

I HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET IN THE LIGHTS, BUT I HOPE TONIGHT TO LOOK AT IT.

HUELL>> WELL, IT'S QUIET RIGHT NOW, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE QUIET LONG.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE YOU LATER ON.

LAVELLE>> OKAY.

HUELL>> THANKS FOR THE INTRODUCTION, WE'VE GOT PEOPLE TO MEET.

LAVELLE>> OKAY.

HUELL>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE RIGHT OVER HERE, GOOD MORNING.

>> HOW ARE YOU, HUELL.

HUELL>> NOW, WHO ARE YOU?

MARILYN>> MARILYN BUSH.

HUELL>> OH, HI, MARILYN.

WE'VE TALKED ON THE PHONE.

MARILYN>> RIGHT, WE SURE HAVE.

HUELL>> THIS IS REALLY YOUR EVENT, ISN'T IT?

MARILYN>> YES, IT IS.

YES, IT IS.

I'M VERY THRILLED ABOUT IT.

HUELL>> WELL, LET'S STAND OVER HERE SO WE CAN SEE SOME OF THIS ACTIVITY GOING ON BEHIND US.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED TODAY?

MARILYN>> WELL, WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS PLANNED.

WE HAVE SOME, OF COURSE, IMPORTANT ELECTED OFFICIALS COMING.

THEY WILL MAKE SHORT SPEECHES, WHICH IS NOT-- HUELL>> YEAH, WE'LL WAIT AND SEE HOW SHORT THEY ARE.

MARILYN>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

AND THE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY, LOS FELIZ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, JOHN KARAGOGIN, WILL MAKE A FEW REMARKS.

WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE MARSHALL HIGH MARCHING BAND HERE PLAYING FOR YOU.

HUELL>> WE CAN HEAR THEM.

MARILYN>> YOU CAN HEAR THAT.

WE HAVE MUSICIANS FROM THE PROFESSIONAL FIELD THAT ARE GOING TO PLAY AARON COPLAND'S "FANFARE TO THE COMMON MAN."

HUELL>> SO, THIS IS A BIG DAY.

MARILYN>> THAT IS A VERY BIG DAY.

HUELL>> CAN I TALK WITH THESE PEOPLE FOR JUST A MINUTE?

YOU ALL ARE HAVING A GREAT CONVERSATION OVER HERE.

I HOPE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FOUNTAIN.

>> ABSOLUTELY, YES WE ARE.

WE ARE GLAD TO BE HERE.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IN THE FESTIVITIES HERE.

WE'RE JUST THRILLED TO BE HERE TODAY.

HUELL>> OKAY, NOW-- MARILYN>> HUELL, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS IS LIEUTENANT PACINGER WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE LOS ANGELES MOUNTED POLICE DIVISION HUELL>> OH, THOSE ARE YOUR PEOPLE OVER THERE.

MARILYN>> WITH ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL POLICE OFFICERS THAT CAME TO SUPPORT AND THRILL US ALL WITH THEIR HORSES.

AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HIM THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE.

HUELL>> NOW, LET'S MAKE IT VERY PLAIN THAT THE HORSES ARE NOT ALOUD TO DRINK OUT OF THE FOUNTAIN.

>> NO, WE WON'T BE DRINKING OUT OF THE FOUNTAIN.

WE'RE JUST HERE TO HELP ENJOY.

HUELL>> THAT WOULDN'T BE A VERY GOOD WAY IT GET IT STARTED OFF.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

MARILYN>> THIS FOUNTAIN IS SO IMPORTANT, AND SO POSITIVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT I FELT THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS TO HAVE ALL OF OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN INVOLVED, IS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING ON A POSITIVE FOUNDATION, WONDERFUL IN OUR CITY.

HUELL>> ARE THESE LITTLE GIRLS PART OF THE PROGRAM?

THEY'RE SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR.

WHAT'S GOING ON OVER HERE?

>> OKAY, WE'RE FROM FRANKLIN AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

AND I'M ONE OF THE TEACHERS THERE, MY NAME IS SANDY CAMPBELL.

THIS IS MY STUDENT, JUSTINE YUEN.

HUELL>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> AND THIS IS OUR FRIEND WHO IS DOWN THE HALL FROM US, AND THIS IS ANDREA GASTON.

HUELL>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

HUELL>> NOW, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO TODAY?

>> THESE TWO YOUNG LADIES WROTE POEMS ABOUT WILLIAM MULHOLLAND AND THE WATER IN LOS ANGELES.

AND THEY'RE DELIVERING THEIR POEMS THIS MORNING.

HUELL>> ARE YOU NERVOUS?

>> SORT OF.

HUELL>> YOU RVOUS?

YEAH, SHE'S A LITTLE NERVOUS.

WELL, JUST SUCK IT UP, IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT ALL THESE PEOPLE HERE, JUST GIVE IT YOUR BEST.

>> OKAY, WE WILL.

THANKS FOR THE GOOD WORD.

HUELL>> NOW, YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE PART OF THIS, TOO.

>> I AM VERY MUCH A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS MARGARET LOLEFELD, I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE.

I SEE TO IT-- HUELL>> FOR LOS FELIZ?

>> LOS FELIZ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

I SEE TO IT THAT THE GRAFFITI IS REMOVED.

I SEE TO IT THAT THE TRASH IS PICKED UP IN OUR AREA WHEN THE CURBS ARE NOT ALL THAT CLEAN.

HUELL>> UH HUH.

>> THEN I GO OUT THERE AND I GET THE TROOPS TOGETHER ON A MONTHLY BASIS, ONCE A MONTH WE ARE CLEANING UP THE STREETS.

HUELL>> WELL, HOW IS THIS FOUNTAIN GOING TO AFFECT THE COMMUNITY?

>> THE FOUNTAIN, VERY MUCH SO.

THIS IS A HISTORICAL MONUMENT, AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

THEY TRIED TO MATCH THE TILES.

THEY DID A MARVELOUS JOB.

THE WHOLE COMMUNITY APPEARS TO HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE ACT WITH THE CELEBRATION OF OUR RE-- HUELL>> --DEDICATION >> WELL, WITH THE REDEDICATION, AND WITH THE RECONSTRUCTED FOUNTAIN, BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF REPAIR WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE.

AND IT'S ALL DONE AND WE'RE SO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

HUELL>> WELL, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT MAKES THE COMMUNITY, KIND OF, COME TOGETHER AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT ITSELF.

>> EXACTLY, EXACTLY, AND THAT MAKES US ALL FEEL GOOD.

THE SCHOOLS, WE HAVE THREE SCHOOLS HERE, WE HAVE IMPORTANT PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY HERE.

AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, EVERYBODY WANTS TO JOIN.

HUELL>> THEY'RE POURING IN.

NOW, ARE ALL THESE INVITED GUESTS BACK HERE?

>> YES, ANYONE THAT COMES OVER HERE IS AN INVITED GUEST, AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THEM.

HUELL>> BUT, OF COURSE, THE FOUNTAIN DOESN'T NEED AN INVITED GUEST.

ANYBODY CAN COME AND ENJOY IT.

THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF IT.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU.

HUELL>> OKAY, WELL, GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HUELL>> I SPOTTED SOMEBODY OVER HERE.

THESE ARE THE REAL VIP'S HERE.

GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING.

>> WOW, MR. HOWSER, HELLO.

>> OH, YOU MADE IT, YOU MADE IT.

HUELL>> INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> I'M CATHERINE MULHOLLAND, AND I'M ONE OF THE GRANDDAUGHTERS OF WILLIAM.

AND MY SISTER AND I WERE BOTH HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL OPENING.

HUELL>> IN 1940.

>> IN 1940.

HUELL>> WHERE'S YOUR SISTER?

I HAVEN'T MET HER.

>> MY SISTER, WHERE IS SHE?

SHE'S HERE SOMEWHERE IN THE CROWD IN A WHITE SUIT.

YOU'LL FIND HER IN A MINUTE.

HUELL>> NOW, SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO THROW THE SWITCH TODAY.

>> MY SISTER IS GOING TO THROW THE SWITCH AND I'M GOING TO GIVE A SPEECH.

SO, WE'VE GOT A DOUBLE HEADER HERE.

TWO MULHOLLAND GALS DOING THEIR THING.

I DON'T KNOW--WHERE IS PAT?

HUELL>> WELL, SHE'LL BE HERE.

IF SHE'S GOING TO THROW THE SWITCH SHE BETTER BE HERE.

MAYBE YOU CAN STAND-IN FOR HER.

>> OH, THERE SHE IS.

HUELL>> WOULD SOMEBODY GO GRAB HER FOR JUST A SECOND?

DO YOU REMEMBER THAT DAY IN 1940 WHEN YOU WERE HERE?

>> I DO, HUELL.

I REMEMBER THE DAY VERY, VERY WELL, BUT I WAS A BIT PREOCCUPIED BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO LEAVE TO GO TO BERKELEY AS A FRESHMAN AT THE UNIVERSITY.

AND I WAS ALMOST MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA THAN I WAS WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE.

HUELL>> LET'S WALK OVER HERE FOR JUST A SECOND.

THIS BAND IS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER.

HOWDY.

>> HOWDY.

HUELL>> GOOD MORNING.

ARE YOU EXCITED?

>> WELL, WE WERE HERE BEFORE.

HUELL>> IN 1940?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HUELL>> WELL, WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THAT DAY?

>> WHERE DID PATTY GO?

SHE PUSHED THE BUTTON.

IT STARTED THE WHOLE THING.

HUELL>> OH, THIS IS--THERE SHE IS.

OH, YOU'RE THE LADY.

NOW, I'VE SEEN A PICTURE OF YOU BACK IN 1940 YOU HAD A NICE LITTLE DRESS ON AND YOU WERE HOLDING SOME ROSES OR FLOWERS.

>> ROSES.

HUELL>> ROSES.

AND YOU WERE CHOSEN TO THROW THE SWITCH.

>> YES, I WAS.

HUELL>> NOW, LET'S STAND BACK HERE BECAUSE THIS MUSIC IS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER.

LET'S GO BACK OVER HERE.

LET'S WALK RIGHT DOWN HERE A MINUTE BECAUSE THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

TELL ME WHAT IT WAS LIKE BACK IN 1940 WHEN YOU THREW THAT SWITCH.

>> WELL, IT WAS A BUTTON I WAS SUPPOSE TO PUSH AND I--GOOD OLD TECHNOLOGY BACK THEN WASN'T THAT GREAT.

I COULDN'T PUSH IT.

I WAS NINE YEARS OLD.

IT WAS TOO HARD TOO HARD TO PUSH.

AND ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN SITTING UP IN THE AREA WHO I IMAGINE WORKED FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME UP AND HELP ME PUSH IT.

ALL THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND EVERYBODY OOHHED AND AAHHED, THE SAME AS THEY WOULD TODAY.

HUELL>> HAVE YOU CHECKED IT OUT TODAY TO MAKE SURE IT'S GOING TO WORK ALL RIGHT?

WE DON'T WANT HISTORY TO REPEAT ITSELF.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT TODAY.

>> IT'S SITTING THERE, THOUGH.

>> OH, IT IS?

>> YEAH, AND YOU'RE EXPECTED TO PUSH IT AGAIN.

>> OH, I AM, I AM.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

HUELL>> THERE'S NO JEALOUSY HERE THAT SHE'S GOTTEN TO PUSH THE BUTTON TWICE AND YOU HAVEN'T?

>> NO, BECAUSE I WAS-- >> SHE GETS TO SPEAK, I DON'T.

HUELL>> WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS TODAY.

THIS IS I VERY FESTIVE, FESTIVE CROWD HERE TODAY.

>> IT IS INDEED, AND I'M TOUCHED.

I REALLY AM.

IT THRILLS ME A GREAT DEAL.

HUELL>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, HUELL.

>> THANK YOU.

HUELL>> THEY'RE HERE FOR THE REDEDICATION TODAY JUST LIKE THEY WERE HERE FOR THE DEDICATION 56 YEARS AGO.

>> LONG TIME, LONG IME.

HUELL>> HOWDY.

HOW ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH ALL THIS?

>> WELL, WILLIAM WAS MY GREAT GRANDFATHER.

MY NAME IS CHRISTINE MULHOLLAND, AND WILLIAM WAS MY GREAT GRANDFATHER.

OF COURSE I NEVER MET HIM.

MY FATHER WAS TWELVE WHEN WILLIAM DIED.

SO, I DIDN'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY, BUT I'VE CERTAINLY LISTENED TO MY AUNT CATHERINE TALK ABOUT ALL THE WONDERFUL STORIES THAT THE FAMILY HAS TO SHARE.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY, I THINK IT'S A PRETTY COOL EVENT.

HUELL>> NOW, ARE THESE ALL MULHOLLANDS?

>> WELL-- HUELL>> HOW MANY MULHOLLANDS ARE THERE HERE TODAY?

>> WELL, THIS IS MY MOTHER CATHERINE MULHOLLAND.

HUELL>> HELLO.

>> GOOD MORNING, HUELL.

HUELL>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

HUELL>> I'M HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING ALL OF MULHOLLANDS STRAIGHT HERE.

HOW ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH ALL OF THIS?

>> I WAS MARRIED TO WILLIAM'S ONLY GRANDSON.

HUELL>> OH.

>> AND CHRISTINE IS MY DAUGHTER.

>> AND BEHIND YOU OVER HERE IS MY BROTHER TOM MULHOLLAND, HE IS THE LAST OF THE MULHOLLAND LINE WITH THE MALE LINE.

THE NAME IN THE MALE LINE.

HUELL>> WOW, WELCOME.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

HUELL>> NOW, DO YOU HAVE A ROLE HERE TODAY?

>> NOT REALLY, JUST BEING HERE I THINK IS A BIG ENOUGH ROLE.

BEING WHO I AM.

HUELL>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY IS.

>> I'M ANOTHER GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER.

HUELL>> HI.

>> HI.

HUELL>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> DAVE BOWER.

HUELL>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> AND I'M A GRANDDAUGHTER.

HUELL>> A GRANDDAUGHTER.

>> AND I'M A GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER.

I'M CATHY PARKER, I'M THE DAUGHTER OF PAT MULHOLLAND WHO PUSHED THE BUTTON AT THE FIRST DEDICATION.

HUELL>> OH.

WELL, THE MULHOLLANDS ARE WEARING ME OUT TODAY.

YOU ALL ARE HERE IN FULL FORCE.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HUELL>> THIS IS A GREAT DAY, NOT ONLY FOR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, BUT FOR YOUR FAMILY.

>> FOR THE FAMILY, I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL.

IT REALLY IS A LOVELY REDEDICATION OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO GET TOGETHER AND MEMORIALIZE THE MAN AND WHAT HE DID FOR THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA.

HUELL>> NOW, WE'VE TAKEN A LITTLE BREAK FROM ALL OF THE FESTIVITIES OVER HERE.

LAVELLE LUND AND I HAVE COME OVER HERE TO THIS ROCK WHICH KIND OF SITS OUT HERE ON THE CORNER, BUT IT HAS GOT WILLIAM MULHOLLAND MEMORIAL 1940 ON IT.

WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

LAVELLE>> IT'S VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE WHEN WILLIAM MULHOLLAND, THE FATHER OF THE LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT SYSTEM, WAS UP IN THE OWENS VALLEY NEAR HAIWEE RESERVOIR.

IT'S ABOUT AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE OWENS VALLEY.

HE NOTICED THIS VERY PRETTY PINK ROCK ABOVE THE RESERVOIR, AND HE COMMENTED TO, THEN THE H. A.

VAN NORMAN, WHO WAS HIS ASSISTANT, AND H. A.

VAN NORMAN REMEMBERED IT AND SAID WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT ROCK AND BRING IT DOWN AND PUT IT AT OUR MEMORIAL.

SO, THIS ROCK WAS SELECTED FROM THE HAIWEE RESERVOIR SITE AND MOVED TO THIS SITE HERE, AND IT DENOMINATES THE MULHOLLAND MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN AS A ROCK THAT MR. MULHOLLAND PARTICULARLY NOTED IN A VISIT TO THE HAIWEE RESERVOIR SITE MANY YEARS EARLIER.

HUELL>> WOW, AND THIS PIECE OF LAND OUT HERE.

COME ON OVER HERE WITH ME.

THIS PIECE OF LAND OVER HERE, THE REASON THE FOUNTAIN IS LOCATED HERE ON THIS CORNER HAS SOME REAL SIGNIFICANCE TO IT AS WELL.

LAVELLE>> YES, WELL, SEVERAL THINGS.

ONE IS IT'S A GOOD SPOT AT THE CORNER OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE AND LOS FELIZ BOULEVARD.

IT CAN BE SEEN BY MANY PEOPLE.

SECONDLY, THE LAND WAS OWNED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

AND THIRDLY, IT WAS A SITE WHERE MR. MULHOLLAND STUDIED AND LEARNED CIVIL ENGINEERING BY HIMSELF IN A LITTLE CABIN HERE SOMEWHERE ON THIS SITE PRIOR TO 1881.

HUELL>> BEFORE HE BECAME A BIG WIG.

LAVELLE>> AT THAT TIME HE WAS A DITCH TENOR.

HE WORKED FOR THE OLD LOS ANGELES CITY WATER COMPANY, WHICH WAS A PRIVATE WATER COMPANY.

AND HE WAS A DITCH DIGGER AND THE DITCHES RAN FROM HERE, FROM THE LOS ANGELES RIVER TO THE NORTH DOWN TO THE MAIN PART OF THE CITY TO THE SOUTH.

HUELL>> SO, WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT WILLIAM MULHOLLAND STARTED OFF HERE IN A LITTLE LOG CABIN DIGGING AND MAINTAINING AND SERVICING A WATER DITCH FOR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

LAVELLE>> WELL, ACTUALLY, HE WAS SELF-EDUCATED.

HE STARTED AS A LABORER AND HE WAS A DITCH DIGGER AND HE WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT THAT HAD EMIGRATED FROM IRELAND AND THIS IS WHERE HE WAS STARTED.

HE BECAME THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THIS PRIVATE LOS ANGELES CITY WATER COMPANY.

AND THEN LATER BECAME THE HEAD OF THE LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER AS WE KNOW IT TODAY.

HUELL>> NOW, THAT IS A TRUE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUCCESS STORY.

LAVELLE>> THAT IS, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY SHOWING YOU CAN GO UP TO THE TOP AND HE HAD TO LEARN AND DO THINGS BY HIMSELF, AND HE EDUCATED HIMSELF TO DO THAT.

HUELL>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, HUELL.

HUELL>> NOW, YOUR CLAIM TO FAME IS?

>> I'M THE PROJECT MANAGER ON THIS FOUNTAIN JOB.

HUELL>> OF THE WHOLE PROJECT?

>> RIGHT.

HUELL>> AND YOUR NAME IS?

>> MY NAME IS JOHN DENNIS.

HUELL>> MR. DENNIS, CAN WE STAND WITH THE FOUNTAIN OVER HERE FOR JUST A SECOND?

BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE TO US.

>> RIGHT, THIS IS JESSE RIVAS, HE'S OUR CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR ON THIS JOB.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING?

HUELL>> HI, HOW ARE DOING?

>> HOW IS IT GOING?

GOOD.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

HUELL>> AND?

>> WARREN TYRELL.

HUELL>> AND HOW ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH IT?

>> I'M THE MCH OF LABOR.

HUELL>> GREAT, WELL, TELL US HOW IT FEELS TO BE HERE TODAY AND SEE ALL OF THIS.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY-- I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS MUCH STUFF, IT'S PRETTY NICE.

IT'S A BIG HONOR, YOU KNOW, TO BE HERE LIKE THIS.

FROM WHEN WE STARTED THE PROJECT IT'S TURNED OUT, I THINK, REAL GOOD.

I THINK JOHN IS SATISFIED WITH IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE NICE.

IT'S GOING WORK OUT REAL NICE.

HUELL>> NOW, IS THERE ANY NERVOUSNESS AT ALL THAT WHEN THEY PUSH THE BUTTON... >> THAT'S ALWAYS IT.

WE HAD A FEW DRESS REHEARSALS.

SO, IT SHOULD GO FINE.

HUELL>> OH, OKAY, SO YOU'VE WORKED ON IT?

>> YEAH.

HUELL>> NOW, WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO WITH IT?

>> I DID ALL THE LABOR WORK.

HUELL>> SO, YOU WERE SUPERVISING ALL THE GUYS OUT HERE?

>> JESSE WAS THE SUPERVISOR.

HUELL>> HE WAS THE SUPERVISOR.

WERE YOU WORKING ON THE TILE OR ON THE-- WHAT WERE YOU DOING HERE?

>> I WAS SAND BLASTING.

HUELL>> SAND BLASTING.

WE'VE GOT SOME FOOTAGE THAT WE TOOK BACK IN AUGUST WHEN WE STOPPED BY HERE ONE DAY OF YOU GUYS OUT HERE WORKING.

IT WAS HOT.

IT'S NOT VERY GLAMOROUS WORK, BUT IT LOOKS GREAT, DOESN'T IT?

>> YES, IT LOOKS REAL GREAT.

HUELL>> ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE WAY IT TURNED OUT?

>> I'M GLAD IT TURNED OUT REAL NICE.

HUELL>> GOOD.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY GUYS LIKE WARREN THAT ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, THESE GUYS REALLY DO THE, MAINLY, THE WORK AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

THEY DID A REALLY GOOD JOB.

WE'RE REAL PROUD OF THEM AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

HUELL>> RIGHT.

>> IT TAKES A LOT OF OUR HEADACHES OUT AND MAKES IT EASIER FOR US, GUYS LIKE WARREN.

HUELL>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

HUELL>> CONGRATULATIONS, YOU DID WELL.

IT'S A PROJECT THAT'S NOW OVER.

DID YOU THINK IT WAS EVER GOING TO END?

>> OH, I TELL YOU, AFTER LAST NIGHT IT WAS QUITE A PLEASURE.

HUELL>> WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING ABOUT?

>> WE KNEW IT WOULD END.

HUELL>> YOU JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHEN.

>> WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHEN.

>> I KEPT TEING JESSE, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE IT END.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE IT END, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE IT END.

SO, WE DID KEEP DOING IT.

IT TURNED OUT REAL NICE.

>> RIGHT.

HUELL>> WELL, IT WAS A MAJOR PROJECT, WASN'T IT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, QUITE A BIT OF WORK INVOLVED AND GUYS LIKE JESSE AND WARREN DOING THE WORK AND THE GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SITE AND YOU'VE MET SOME OF OUR ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE.

HUELL>> YEAH, WE WANTED TO SHOW THAT TAPE THAT WE SHOT BECAUSE WE STOPPED BY HERE BACK IN AUGUST.

IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY AND I TALKED WITH A GUY NAMED MARK OR MIKE, HE WAS HEAD OF THE ELECTRICAL-- >> RIGHT, THAT'S MARK ZUMWALT.

HE'S OUR ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR.

AND THEN YOU MET HIS WORKER THERE, GREG TODD.

HE WAS PULLING ALL OF THE CABLE AND STUFF INSIDE DOWN BELOW.

HUELL>> THAT WAS UNDERGROUND, THIS FOUNTAIN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HUELL>> WHERE ARE THE GUYS THAT I MET THAT DAY; MARK AND GREG AND SOME OF THE OTHERS?

>> WE'LL TRY TO CATCH UP WITH THEM HERE LATER.

HUELL>> ARE THEY HERE?

>> GREG IS HERE ON THE SITE.

HE'S DOWN IN THE PUMP ROOM.

HE'S READY TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING RUNS SMOOTHLY.

HUELL>> OH, SO HE'S DOWN THERE NOW?

>> RIGHT, OH, YEAH.

HE'S A REAL WORK HORSE.

BOY, HE'S JUST WORKING ALL OF THE TIME.

SPEAKER>> ACTUALLY, I TOLD ONE OF MY STAFF THIS MORNING, I RECALL A BOOK THAT I READ ONCE CALLED "MEN TO WATCH MY MOUNTAINS" AND TRULY WILLIAM MULHOLLAND WAS NOT ONLY A MAN TO MATCH OUR MOUNTAINS, HE WAS A MAN TO CONQUER OUR MOUNTAINS, AND HE BROUGHT WATER HERE WHICH MADE THIS GREAT CITY THAT I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SERVE FOR SOME 30 YEARS POSSIBLE.

HUELL>> NOW, THE CEREMONY IS GOING ON UPSTAIRS AND YOU'VE BROUGHT US BACK DOWNSTAIRS.

>> RIGHT, THIS IS DOWN IN THE PUMP ROOM THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE EVERYDAY OF THE FOUNTAIN.

HUELL>> HERE'S THE GUY WE MET BACK ON THAT HOT AUGUST DAY.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING?

HUELL>> IT'S STILL HOT DOWN HERE.

>> IT'S NOT AS BAD IT WAS THE DAY I WAS DOWN HERE WORKING.

HUELL>> BUT, YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SHOW US HERE.

>> WHAT WE'VE DONE IN REBUILDING THE FOUNTAIN IS WE HAVE USED THE ORIGINAL CONTROLLER FOR ALL OF THE LIGHTS AND THE ORIGINAL PUSH BUTTON STATIONS WHICH ARE OVER HERE TO START AND STOP THE PUMPS AND THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING.

BASICALLY WHAT WE'VE DONE IS TAKEN THE OLD EQUIPMENT AND BROUGHT IT UP INTO THE YEAR 2000.

THE SWITCHES ARE ALL--IT'S A VERY SIMPLE SYSTEM.

WE COME OFF OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WHICH ARE NOW GROUND-FAULT PROTECTED, GO INTO THE SWITCHES WHICH THEN GO UP AND CONTROL THE LIGHTS UPSTAIRS.

HUELL>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK IN HERE, TOO, BECAUSE THIS WAS AN INTERESTING PART-- IT'S TIGHT DOWN HERE.

>> RIGHT, WE DON'T BRING BIG CROWDS INTO HERE IN THIS AREA.

HUELL>> THIS IS WHERE I MET YOU ORIGINALLY.

>> YES, THIS IS THE ORIGINAL, THE FIRST TERMINATION POINT FOR ALL OF THE LIGHTS UP IN THE FOUNTAIN.

THERE ARE 43 LIGHTS UPSTAIRS, THERE ARE EIGHT OF THEM AROUND ON THE LOWER POOL AND THE REMAINDER OF THEM ARE UP ON TOP.

THIS IS WHERE THEY ALL COME FOR TROUBLESHOOTING.

WE CAN ISOLATE THEM AND WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM AND THAT WAY WE CAN REPAIR THEM VERY FAST.

HUELL>> AND HE'S NOT GOING TO SAY THIS HIMSELF, BUT YOU SAID HE HAS PUT IN A LOT OF HIS OWN TIME DOWN HERE.

>> OH, THAT'S RIGHT.

GREG HAS TAKEN A REAL PERSONAL INTEREST IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.

IN FACT, EVEN LAST NIGHT HE BROUGHT HIS DAUGHTER OUT TO THE SITE AND SHOWING HER THE FOUNTAIN.

IT'S QUITE A PLACE.

HUELL>> WELL, WE ALL OWE YOU A DEBT OF GRATITUDE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HUELL>> AND HERE'S THE BIG ROOM BACK HERE THAT CERTAINLY LOOKS A LITTLE MORE PAINTED UP AND FIXED UP THAN WHEN WE WERE HERE BEFORE.

THIS AGAIN, I THINK IS WHAT MARK, AT THE TIME, CALLED THE HEART OF THE FOUNTAIN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

DOWN BELOW WE SEE THERE ARE TWO PUMPS.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING THE FOUNTAIN, THE LARGE PUMP IN THE BACK WILL CONTROL THE CASCADES AND THIS OTHER PUMP RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU WILL CONTROL THE JETS AND THE SPRAY NOZZLES.

AND ALL OF THIS PIPING HARNESS UP ABOVE THOSE GO TO THE JETS THAT SHOOT UP INTO THE AIR INTO THE DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS.

HUELL>> NOW, YOU'RE GETTING A LITTLE NERVOUS, AREN'T YOU?

>> VERY ANTSY.

I DON'T WANT TO MISS THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH THE BUTTONS.

HUELL>> BECAUSE THE CEREMONY IS, WELL, WE'RE WELL INTO THE CEREMONY AND AT A CERTAIN TIME YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHAT?

>> I'M GOING TO BE THE HONORARY BUTTON PUSHER.

HUELL>> THAT NO ONE KNOWS IS DOWN HERE.

>> RIGHT, I'M THE INVISIBLE MAN.

>> DON'T TELL ANYBODY.

ALL RIGHT, GET YOUR POSITION.

COME ON LET'S GET DOWN HERE.

GET YOUR POSITION.

OH, BOY.

HE JUST GOT A CALL ON THE RADIO.

>> THIS IS GREG, GO AHEAD.

HUELL>> OH, THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME.

I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.

COME ON, LOUIE.

I'M GETTING NERVOUS JUST WATCHING YOU.

>> I'M NOT REALLY THAT NERVOUS, I JUST DON'T WANT TO MISS-- [CALL COMES IN ON THE RADIO] >> GO AHEAD, THIS IS GREG.

HUELL>> I CAN'T HANDLE THIS.

I CAN'T HANDLE THIS.

WE'RE OUT OF HERE.

WE'VE GOT TO GO UPSTAIRS.

>> HUELL, GLAD TO MEET YOU.

HUELL>> NICE TO MEET YOU.

WE'RE UPSTAIRS.

IT'S TOO MUCH PRESSURE DOWN HERE.

SPEAKER>> AND WITH THAT, I'M TOLD THAT SOMETHING IS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN, PUSH THE BUTTON, PUSH THE BUTTON.

HUELL>> SO, THIS IS HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL DAY.

THIS IS TRULY ONE OF THE MOST POSITIVE UPBEAT DAYS I THINK I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

THE REDEDICATION OF THE MULHOLLAND FOUNTAIN.

AND WE'RE CLOSING IT HERE WITH A GROUP PICTURE.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OFFICIALS OVER HERE FROM DWP.

HERE ARE THE WORKERS RIGHT HERE, EVERYBODY WAVE.

WHO PUT THE FOUNTAIN TOGETHER.

HERE ARE THE KIDS FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, THE MULHOLLAND FAMILY IS BACK HERE IN THE BACK.

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT, GREAT DAY.

AN L.A. DAY.

A DAY THAT YOUR GRANDFATHER WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF.

>> HE WOULD, AND AMAZED.

HE WOULD BE AMAZED.

HUELL>> WELL, HIS MEMORY IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE HERE, RIGHT HERE ON THE CORNER OF LOS FELIZ AND RIVERSIDE DRIVE, AS THE SPECTACULAR MULHOLLAND FOUNTAIN IS REDEDICATED AND READY FOR ALL OF US TO USE.

[MUSIC PLAYING] >> WATER.

WATER IS PRECIOUS TO ALL LIFE.

IT KEEPS YOU HEALTHY, GIVES THE WORLD LIFE.

EVERYONE SHOULDN'T WASTE IT.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS, THEY NEED WATER TO SURVIVE.

WITHOUT THIS LIFE GIVING LIQUID NO FLOWERS OR BUTTERFLIES TO GREET YOU IN THE MORNING.

YOU SEE, WATER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR EVERY LIVING THING ON PLANET EARTH.

[APPLAUSE] "VISITING" WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

CAPTIONING EQUIPMENT DONATED BY LLOYD RIGLER AND PERFORMED BY RAPIDEXT, NEWPORT BEACH, CA