Metuchen Fountain and Horse Trough

Location: Metuchen, NJ, USA

In the early years of the 20^th century a triangle of land at the Intersection of Oak and Middlesex Avenues was donated by Metuchen Building and Loan to house a public drinking fountain/horse trough. Following fundraising efforts, which included ball games and minstrel shows, the fountain was purchased by the Woodwild Park Association, and was erected in 1903 at the edge of the road where it was accessible to horses.

With the advent of the motor vehicle it became a traffic obstacle and was moved back from the edge of the road where it currently remains. The structure is maintained by members of the Woodwild Park Association and was restored in the 1980s. In 2016, an evaluation of the structure revealed substantial corrosion resulting in the removal of the fountain to Alexander City, Alabama where it will be restored by the restoration company, Robinson Iron.

Casting number 50 manufactured by J.L. Mott Iron Works consists of a square base with four inset panels supporting a central column with additional panels. A fluted demi-lune trough with a decorative shield protected the float valve and ball cock from damage by horses. There was originally a smaller basin at ground level for dogs. On the opposite side a basin supported by console was available for people. The cornice beneath the capital is decorated with a frieze of acanthus. A large capped urn is seated on a three tiered acroter.

Circa 1949

Year 2016

December 2016

Status of structure June 2018 shown in the images below.

Used with permission, Fred Lauzus

Used with permission, Fred Lauzus

Used with permission, Fred Lauzus

Used with permission, Fred Lauzus

Used with permission, Fred Lauzus

Glossary:

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Acroter, flat base
• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Cornice, a molding or ornamentation that projects from the top of a building
• Demilune, half moon or crescent shape
• Fluted, a long rounded groove decorating the shaft of a column
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical moulding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings