Center Street Fountain

Location: Rutland, Vermont, U.S.A.

I have been unable to discover any historic information regarding this drinking fountain which was situated at Center Street in Rutland. However, it is worth posting the historic images of this location. Images show it in situ in 1904 and no longer present by 1911.

The manufacturer is unknown although several of the features are reminiscent of designs by J. L. Mott Iron Works of New York.

1904

1906

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company collection.

The structure consisted of a single pedestal with canted corners and a small basin at ground level for dogs. The square base with four inset panels supported a central column with rectangular panels for decoration or dedication. A fluted demi-lune basin with lion mascaron from which water spouted was located at one side for the use of humans. It is unclear whether a second basin or a horse trough was located on the opposite side.

The cornice beneath the capital was decorated with a frieze of acanthus supporting a triple stepped tier surmounted by an orb finial.

Glossary:

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Canted corner, an angled surface which cuts of a corner Demilune, half-moon or crescent shape
• Cornice, a molding or ornamentation that projects from the top of a building
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long, rounded groove decorating the shaft of a column
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical molding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings
• 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

Maiden Drinking Fountain

Location: Sandusky, Ohio, USA

In the mid-19th century, Voltaire Scott and his father bought a hotel on the south west corner of Water and Wayne. He also built a park across the street, and with continued improvements a pond was created in 1895 containing the famous Boy and the Boot fountain manufactured by J.W. Fiske Ironworks. Four other statues which were installed, including water spouting dolphins and maids of the mist, were damaged in the tornado of 1924 and removed to the city greenhouse.

As part of the construction of the park a drinking fountain at the entrance on Wayne Street was surmounted by a statue of a young maiden. This statue was also damaged during the tornado and is currently housed at the Follett House Museum.

Although Voltaire Scott had willed the contents of his park to the city with funds to maintain it, the park was leveled and turned into a parking lot in 1935.

I have been unable to discover the manufacturer of this fountain seated on a square base. Four square panels at the base and a second level of arched panels with pilasters contained bas-relief including lion mascarons. One of these lion heads spouted water into a demi-lune basin for use by humans. A metal cup was suspended by a chain. A second demi-lune basin at ground level offered water to dogs and small animals. The capital supported a statue which may be a depiction of Venus bathing.

Images source: http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

Glossary:

• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Demi-lune, half-moon or crescent shape
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Pilaster, a column form that is only ornamental and not supporting a structure