Fountain Shelter

Location: Washington Park, Albany, NY, USA

In 1842 a refectory, drinking fountain shelter and swings were constructed in Washington Park. In a time of Temperance the structure was erected with the purpose of providing needed refreshment. Intoxicating drinks, cigars and cigarettes were not sold.

The shelter was seated on a three tiered octagonal stone plinth. The elaborate wooden structure of the pavilion was Moorish in design. The dome and finial were gilded and bright colours accented the details. The roof was slate laid in parti-colours. The interior contained detailed panelling on the sides, and the piazza ceilings were elaborate.
Eight columns with trefoil arches supported the canopy. A three feet high lattice was constructed between four columns on each side of the structure restricting entrance and exit of the shelter. A central suspended gas globe lit the interior. The drinking fountain was placed in the centre of the structure beneath the lamp. Water was dispensed from a deep well supplied by city mains.

The font was a single pedestal basin with four decorative columns rising from an octagonal plinth. Four salamanders descended the fountain pedestal as a symbol of courage and bravery. The basin had a scalloped edge and decorative relief. A central urn with four outstretched tendrils offered drinking cups suspended by chains. The terminal was a crane recognized as a symbol of vigilance. This drinking fountain was casting number 7 from Walter Macfarlane’s catalog. It was manufactured at the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland.

A lack of maintenance caused deterioration, and by the 1960s the drinking fountain pavilion, croquet shelter and swings within the area had crumbled.

Circa 1910. Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_drinking_fountain_shelter,_by_Aaron_Veeder.png

Circa 1910

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanygroup/14468631822/

Glossary:

• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Parti-colour, having a predominant color broken by patches of one or more other colors
• Piazza ceiling, vaulted roof
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal
• Trefoil, An ornamental design of three rounded lobes

Overtoun Park Jubilee Fountain

Location: Overtoun Park, Mill St, Cambuslang, Burgh of Rutherglen, Lanarkshire

Rutherglen’s Jubilee Fountain was originally erected at the west end of Main Street (the Gushet) in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Due to the increasing presence of the motor car it was relocated to Overtoun Park in 1911 to accommodate traffic flow. It was registered as a Category B listed building on 4 April 1974.

The canopied drinking fountain is design number 20, an elaborate 18 feet by 4 feet fountain, sold by Walter Macfarlane & Co, and manufactured at the Saracen Foundry, Possilpark, Glasgow, Scotland. Seated on an octagonal plinth, the open filigree canopy is supported by eight columns with griffin terminals which are positioned over capitals with foliage frieze above square bases.

The highly decorated cusped arches are trimmed with rope mouldings. Cartouches contained within each lunette display cranes, the Rutherglen Coat of Arms, and two memorial shields: In Commemoration / Of The / Diamond Jubilee / Of / Queen Victoria / 1837-97, and Erected / By Public Subscription / Alexander Edmiston / Provost / George Gray / Town Clerk

On each side, arch faceplates provided a flat surface for an inscription using raised metal letters; often the useful monition, Keep the pavement dry. Civic virtues such as temperance were often extolled in inscriptions on drinking fountains. The ribbed dome is open filigree decorated with dove and flower relief. The internal capitals contain flowers, statues of owls on enlarged column heads and lion mascarons on internal shields. The structure is surmounted by an imperial crown finial.

Under the canopy stands the font (design number 18.) A circular shaft, ornamented with water lilies, rests on a wide base with canted corners. Four lion jambs support four highly decorated quatrefoil basins. Rising from the centre is a pyramid shaped stanchion decorated with swan and bird decoration. A kylix-shaped lamp terminal with four consoles offer drinking cups suspended by chains. Sitting atop the lamp was a bust of Queen Victoria which was removed in 1992.

1897 original location

Circa 1900. Source: Rutherglen Heritage Group

Used with permission. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hmeikle/3097523773/sizes/l/

Source: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/gallery.aspx?guid=bb43d97a-0f1c-42de-b697-8cec8f25230c

Photographer, Bryan D. Source: http://www.panoramio.com/user/2120206/tags/Rutherglen

Used with permission. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/53482954@N00/2707283470/in/photostream/

Internal masks

Shields

Town crest

Dedication Shield

Glossary

• Canted corner, an angled surface which cuts of a corner
• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Cartouche, a structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Cusped Arch, the point of intersection of lobed or scalloped forms
• Filigree, fine ornamental work
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fret, running or repeated ornament
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical moulding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings
• Griffin, winged lion denotes vigilance and strength, guards treasure and priceless possessions
• Jamb, a projecting vertical post containing sculpture
• Kylix, a Grecian style drinking cup
• Lunette, the half-moon shaped space framed by an arch, often containing a window or painting
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests
• Quatrefoil, a type of decorative framework consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter
• Stanchion, upright bar or post providing support
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal

Edward VII Fountain

Location: Somerton, Somerset, England

Cow Square was a former market square, and it is here that we find a cast iron drinking fountain and horse trough painted in silver. It was erected in 1902 to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII.

Seated on a rectangular plinth of stone, the structure consists of two horse troughs and a central pedestal with four arched inset panels displaying a mask of a mythical sea creature. The mask on the east facing panel spouted water into a demi basin. Eight fluted pilasters surround the base. Four corner pilasters are the same height as the troughs. The four central pilasters which surround the central pedestal extend into columns with knob finials. The abacus and four winged Greek votive sphinx support a fluted pillar with acanthus leaf decoration. The structure is surmounted with a round glass globe operated by gas.

At ground level two small basins were fed by overflow from the troughs and serviced dogs and other small animals. A dedication is engraved across the east facing panels of each animal trough: ERECTED IN COMMEMORATION / OF THE CORONATION OF / KING EDWARD VII / AUGUST 9TH 1902.

The multi use cast iron drinking fountain, horse trough and lamp was cast by Coalbrookdale Company in Shropshire for T. C. Head, a Somerton ironmonger. It was listed as a category grade II listed building on 30 September 1985.

Glossary

• Abacus, at the top of a capital, a thick rectangular slab of stone that serves as the flat, broad surface
• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted Shaft, a long rounded groove decorating the shaft of a column
• Greek Sphinx, a mythical creature with the haunches of a lioness, the wings of an eagle, a serpent headed tail, and the breasts and head of a woman
• Mask/Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue
• Pilaster, a column form that is only ornamental and not supporting a structure
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.

Source: http://www.langport.eu/somerton/

Used with permission. Source: http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/drinking_fountains/drinking_fountains.htm

Creative Commons License, Andy Pearce. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/978333

Source: http://www.pmsa.org.uk/pmsa-database/14375/

Used with permission. Source: http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/drinking_fountains/drinking_fountains.htm

Used with permission. Source: http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/drinking_fountains/drinking_fountains.htm

Used with permission. Source: http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/drinking_fountains/drinking_fountains.htm

Used with permission. Source: http://www.hevac-heritage.org/items_of_interest/public_health/drinking_fountains/drinking_fountains.htm

 

York Fountain

Location: Derby Park, Bootle

The drinking fountain was commissioned by the Bootle Health Committee to celebrate the royal marriage between the Duke and Duchess of York. It was erected in the grounds of Bootle Hospital in 1894.

This cast-iron drinking fountain, with four basins arranged around a tall ornate column, originally stood in the grounds of Bootle hospital. Due to increased traffic in the hospital grounds, it was relocated to Derby Park in 1935. The fountain was restored in 2008.

The fountain was manufactured at Walter Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry, and stands on a two tiered octagonal plinth. Drinking fountain number 19 was originally 10’ 10”which included a statue of Samson. The wide base is in the form of a St. Andrew’s cross, on which is set a circular shaft, ornamented with water lilies. Four lion jambs support four highly decorated quatrefoil basins. The stanchion and central column are decorated with floral relief. A dedication shield records: Erected By Subscription / In / Commemoration Of The / Marriage Of / T.R.M / The Duke And Duchess Of York / On 6^th July / 1893. Four tendrils protrude from the column to suspend drinking cups on chains. The terminal was a statue of Samson, which is no longer present.

Symbolism was popular in Victorian times. Lions are symbolic of guardianship and Samson is symbolic of strength.

Original drinking fountain with statue of Samson. Source: Google Books/Bootle Through Time by Hugh Hollinghurst

Photographer, Terence Tucker. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/12362424@N07/2350308920

Source: Google Books/Bootle Through Time by Hugh Hollinghurst

Creative Commons License. Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Derby_Park,_Bootle_(3).JPG

Creative Commons License, Sue Adair. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1437777

Dedication Plaque

Photographer, Terence Tucker

Glossary

• Jamb, a projecting vertical post containing sculpture
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests
• Quatrefoil, a type of decorative framework consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter
• Stanchion, an upright bar or post providing support
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal