Location: Ishpeming, Michigan, USA
On the corner of Main Street and Cleveland Avenue stands a structure which is more famous for the statue of an Indian than for its original purpose as a drinking fountain for humans and horses. Fund raising efforts by the Vice President of a local mining company (the area is rich in iron ore) successfully erected the drinking fountain in 1884.
Manufactured by J. L. Mott Iron Works of New York the structure was originally seated on an octagonal stone plinth. It consists of a single pedestal with canted corners surmounted by a bronze statue of an Indian Chief.
Used with permission. Source: http://viewsofthepast.com/
The fountain supplied water to horses and humans via dolphin mascarons (symbolic of guardians of water) located within eight arched cornices. Two of the mascarons spouted water into small basins for human consumption which were supported by scroll consoles. Drinking cups were suspended by chains. Horses drank from a large circular fluted trough from which overflow water fed four small basins on each corner for the refreshment of smaller animals.
A plaque mounted on the base of the structure by the Marquette County Historical Society reads: “Old ‘Ish / Erected In 1884 Through The Efforts / Of C.H. Hall Of The Lake Superior / Mining Company – Ishpeming. Made By / The J.L. Mott Company – New York. / Originally It Was Painted Black / And Had Three Drinking Fountains / For Humans, Horses & Dogs.”
Above the arches an attic base supports a short column containing four inset panels with bas-relief bound by pilasters. The capital provides the foundation for the bronze statue known as Old Ish. The sculpture was modelled from an original wood carving created by Samuel Anderson Robb who was the leading cigar store Indian peddler. It was carved for William Demuth & Co. who cast it in zinc and advertised it in his catalog as “No. 53 Indian Chief.” In 1873, the J.L. Mott Iron Works purchased the design and listed it in their catalog of statuary.
In his right hand the Indian Chief originally held an arrow, and in his left hand he holds a bow attached to a base near his left foot which rests on a rock. This stance is called contrapposto, where one leg bears the weight and the other leg is relaxed. A tree stump behind his right leg balances the sculpture. He is dressed in a headband containing three feathers, a bear claw necklace, a cloak, a breechcloth (fabric tucked into a belt that covered the front and back), fringed leggings and moccasins. A maker’s plate is situated on the base of the statue indicating J.L. Mott Iron Works, N.Y.
Several original features of the fountain and statue are missing. The dolphin masks no longer exist, the horse trough has been removed, and the arrow is missing from the Indian’s right hand. The direction of the statue has also changed. It is unclear whether this occurred during a documented prank or if it was incorrectly re-installed when the statue was removed in 1985 to allow cracks in the cast iron base to be repaired. Originally the horse trough was on the left of the statue and the two small basins were in front and behind the statue as seen in the last image.
Circa 1950s. Dolphin masks, horse trough and arrow are missing
Image used with permission, Norm Powell. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/napowell/29639532323/
The arrow is visible in right hand. Image used with permission. Source: http://viewsofthepast.com/
The arrow missing from right hand. Source: http://www.roadarch.com/giants/indians2.html
This image shows the original orientation and features that are now missing. Image used with permission. Source: http://viewsofthepast.com/
During my research I discovered a blog that delves into the history and haunting of Ishpeming related to an Indian burial ground. Review it here
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
- Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
- Console, a decorative bracket support element
- Contrapposto, stance where one leg bears the weight and the other leg is relaxed
- Fluted, a long rounded groove
- 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.
Memorial Drinking Fountains 