Snider Fountain

Location: Kilbourn, Wisconsin, USA

A drinking fountain was donated by Charles W. Snider to Kilbourn City (now Wisconsin Dells) in 1898, as a memorial to his wife and his brother. Originally erected at the intersection of Broadway and Superior streets, it was later installed in front of the old Kilbourn library in Broadway. In 1996 it was relocated once more to the east entrance of the present library at Elm Street.

The topic of the fountain was raised in 2005 at a Dells Country Historical Society meeting. After more than a century of deterioration, missing pieces, and cumulative layers of paint (brown & white and green & white) the structure was in need of restoration. The project was accomplished by the Robinson Iron Co. in Alexander City, Alabama. A replica of the original brass statue (now installed at the Dells Country Historical Society’s Bowman House) was cast in aluminium.

Funding for the project was achieved with an art auction and personal donations from near and far, all managed by the Save Our Fountain Committee. Mayor Craig Casey officiated at the re-dedication in 2006.

The fountain was manufactured by J. L. Mott Iron Works of New York. It consists of a single pedestal with attic base and canted corners surmounted by a bronze statue of Hebe, the water carrier sculpted by Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Eight arched cornices contain dolphin masks which are symbolic of guardians of water. Two of the mascarons spouted water into demi-lune fluted basins for human consumption. Drinking cups were suspended by chains.

Two large demi-lune fluted troughs with decorative shields protected the float valve and ball cock from damage by horses. Overflow water fed four smaller basins originally located on each corner for the refreshment of smaller animals. A plaque between the dog troughs was inscribed with the maker’s name, The J.L. Mott/Iron Wks. N.Y.

An attic base supported a short column containing 4 inset panels bounded by pilasters. Within the panels, 3 cartouches contained bas-relief and a fourth cartouche offered an engraved plaque. Dedicated To / Minnie Drinker Snider / And / Fred B. Snider / Like A Cup Of Cold Water To Fevered Lips Is / A Cheerful Unselfish Life In This Busy World / To Two Such Lives Which Found Happiness / In Kindness To Every Living Creature, This / Memorial Is A Tribute / Erected June 1898

The capital supports a statue of Hebe, the Greek goddess of youth, dressed in flowing robes. Standing contrapposto she holds a pitcher in her right hand and a cup in her left hand.

1905. Source: http://www.vintagewisconsindells.com/miscellaneous.htm

1910. Source: http://www.vintagewisconsindells.com/miscellaneous.htm

1911. Source: http://www.vintagewisconsindells.com/miscellaneous.htm

Source: http://www.vintagewisconsindells.com/miscellaneous.htm

Source: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2FD8_Snider_Fountain_Wisconsin_Dells_Wisconsin

Source: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2FD8_Snider_Fountain_Wisconsin_Dells_Wisconsin

Glossary

• Attic base, a column base with two rings
• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Canted corner, an angled surface which cuts of a corner
• 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.
• ontrapposto, stance where one leg bears the weight and the other leg is relaxed
• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• 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

Beaumaris Castle Drinking Fountain

Location: Beamaris, Isle of Anglesey, Wales

The drinking fountain is located between Beaumaris Castle and the Happy Valley Pavilion. It was erected on 23^rd June 1893 in the public pleasure grounds adjoining Beaumaris Castle by Alderman Thomas Hughes who later became Mayor.

This octagonal shaped drinking fountain seated on an octagonal plinth is design #14 manufactured by George Smith & Co., Sun Foundry, Glasgow. The ogee shaped base and acroter support a single pillar with attic base and inset arched panels. Entablature with bolt consoles sit beneath an ogee cupola with alternate panels of fleur de lys motif. The structure is surmounted with an acorn shaped finial.

Originally, two demilune basins with a chain for a suspended cup offered water to humans, and at ground level was a basin for dogs.

Creative Commons License. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3716217

A plaque is inscribed with the legend; Presented / To The / Corporation / Of / Beaumaris / By Alderman / Thos. Hughes / 1893

Used with permission, Wendy Harris. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pefkosmad/7468567498/

Glossary

• Acroter, flat base
• Attic base, a column base with two rings
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Cupola, a small, domed structure on top of a roof.
• Demilune, half moon or crescent shape
• Entablature, moldings and bands which lie horizontally above columns
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Ogee, curve with a concave

Phoenix Park Fountains

Location: Cowcaddens, Glasgow, Scotland

In the late 19^th century and early 20^th century there were two fountains in Phoenix Park on Garscube Road. The large ornamental spray fountain was commissioned and donated by a local confectioner and owner of John Buchanan & Bros. Ltd. known as John ‘Sweetie’ Buchanan. It was manufactured by Edington Foundry also known as the Phoenix Foundry (the park was established on the site previously occupied by the foundry.) The park was restored in 1959 and the derelict (due to neglect) spray fountain was demolished.

The smaller drinking fountain, known as the well was also located within the park not far from the spray fountain. Design #25 was manufactured by James Allan Senr & Son, Elmbank Foundry, Glasgow.

The 7ft. 2ins. high structure had a single fluted pedestal with a band of acanthus relief was seated on a two tiered circular stone plinth. A large basin sculptured with egg and dart relief supported 4 dwarf Corinthian columns with attic base. The capitals supported 4 arches decorated with a bas-relief of laurel leaves and a solid dome ornamented with fish scale design. The terminal was an urn with orb finial. A constant stream of water operated via a self-closing tap was delivered through a single jet centrally placed within the canopy. Two drinking cups were suspended from chains.

Circa 1955

The area surrounding and including the park was cleared during the building of the M8 in the 1970’s.

Glossary

• Attic base, a column base with two rings
• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Canopy, an ornamental roof-like projection
• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Column Corinthian, a fluted shaft with flowers and leaves at the capital.
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal