DAPHNE, Ala. — On a crisp, clear Thursday morning, Daphne—a wood nymph from Greek mythology—found a home outside City Hall.

Artist Fran Neumann’s bronze representation of the mythical, rebellious woman-turned-wood was revealed before a crowd of about 70 people who attended “Coffee with the Mayor.”

There’s no word on whether the ‘actual’ Daphne — whose father turned her into a tree to evade Apollo, a suitor — ever found happiness. But one thing seems certain: her likeness brought cheer to several residents at Thursday’s unveiling.

“We are so proud to be out here this morning to recognize the artist,” Mayor Fred Small said.

The fountain on which Daphne stands is inspired by Italian architecture, according to Starke Irvine, of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority.

Irvine, addressing the crowd, recognized everyone whose efforts and financial contributions went into completing the project.

“I appreciate all of the people that turned out this morning — especially the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and our Public Works Committee — to get this project finished,” Small said.

“Also Red Cook Construction … and Fran. A lot of people don’t know her.”

But passersby on Main Street will certainly know her work, and they may appreciate the craftsmanship involved in creating the statue.

Neumann, a Lake Forest resident, was selected for the 6-foot-tall, 600-pound, $35,000 project because the idea for the statue was hers, according to Irvine. Neumann drew a sketch of the statue and fountain after studying Italian fountains and gardens. She then brought the sketch to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, which approved it. Irvine said the fountain's Italian architecture follows suit with the city's Italian heritage.

Small noted the potential for increased revenue on Main Street thanks to the new bronze resident.

“Our businesses will get great repercussions because of this,” Small said.

“We’re just tickled to have this day arrive,” Irvine said.

“It’s a wonderful thing for Olde Towne Daphne.”

Daphne, according to Greek mythology, was the sun god Apollo’s first love.

Apollo, upon seeing Daphne running in the woods, became infatuated with her. But Daphne enjoyed her freedom and didn’t want to be in a relationship with the sun god.

Running from Apollo in the woods, Daphne came upon a tree where she called out to her father, the river god Peneus, to help her.

Her feet became rooted to the ground, bark enclosed her and leaves grew from her body. Daphne had been transformed into a laurel tree.