Paterson Memorial Clock

Location: Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, Scotland

The Memorial Clock and Drinking Fountain located on Henderson Street was erected in 1898 by public subscription to commemorate gratitude for Dr. Alexander Paterson’s service to the town.

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Dr. Paterson was a doctor and Medical Officer of Health for the burgh in addition to being a Justice of the Peace. His realised dream of creating a health resort originated from his belief in the therapeutic waters in the area.

In June 1929, the two ton drinking fountain and clock was relocated a few yards west to allow for road widening. The structure was fitted with electricity in 1930.

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Restoration of the structure was undertaken in 2009 with a fresh coat of green paint and gold leaf. The clock was refurbished by James Ritchie and Sons, Clockmakers.

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Manufactured at the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow drinking fountain number 231 from Walter Macfarlane’s catalogue stands 20 feet high. Originally seated on a double tiered square plinth, the square pedestal with Egyptian patterned frieze, designed by Alexander ‘Greek” Thomson, offers a demi-lune basin. A spigot within the geometric pattern released water into the basin, and a drinking cup attached to a chain was suspended from a decorative console.

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

The griffin feet capitals support a four sided central stanchion heavily decorated with palmette and acanthus relief on three sides. The fourth side contains an engraved dedication; The Paterson Memorial / Erected By The Inhabitants Of Bridge Of Allan / And Others In Memory Of The Late / Dr. Alexander Paterson / Who Practised In This District For Upwards Of 50 Years / And Who Was Medical Officer Of Health For The Burgh / He Was Held In Universal Esteem / Being A Skilful Physician And A Kind Friend / 1898.

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

A fluted column with attic base arises from a highly decorated acroter. The structure is capped with a clock face on four sides.

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Used with permission, Peter Gordon. Source: https://holeousia.com/time-passes-listen/bridge-of-allan/village-doctors/dr-alexander-paterson/

Glossary

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Acroter, flat base
• Attic base, a column base with two rings
• Capital: The top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Demi-lune, 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
• Griffin, winged lion denotes vigilance and strength, guards treasure and priceless possessions
• Palmette, a decorative motif resembling the fan shaped leaves of a palm tree
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
• Spigot, a device that controls the flow of water (tap)
• Stanchion, an upright bar or post providing support

Queen Street Drinking Fountain

Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

To commemorate the centenary of the founding of the Province of Upper Canada, a cast iron drinking fountain was unveiled on Queen Street outside the Niagara Court House on July 16, 1892.

A large underground cistern beneath the drinking fountain supplied water for fire-fighting in the mid 19^th century.

The fountain consists of a rectangular pedestal with a square chamfered base decorated with a form of egg and dart frieze. A panel on all four sides contains the stylized pattern of a flower. Beneath the cornice facing the sidewalk is a metal dedication plaque; Erected 1892 / In Commemoration Of The Founding / Of The Province Of Upper / Canada July 16 1792.  The side facing the street offers a small basin for dogs. The capital supports a small fluted basin currently operated with a bubbler type tap.

Glossary:

• Bubbler, a fountain with a tap which ejects a stream of water
• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Chamfer, a beveled edge
• Cornice, a molding or ornamentation that projects from the top of a building
• Egg and dart, a carving of alternating oval shapes and dart or arrow shapes
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical moulding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue

 

Fawcett Street Station Drinking Fountain

Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

Inset to a wall opposite the war museum on Burdon Road is a drinking fountain accompanied by Blue plaque № 1362 which bears the legend;City Of Sunderland / Fawcett Street / Station (1853-1879) / This Drinking Fountain / Marks The Entrance To The / Former Terminus Of The / Penshaw Branch Line. / The Station Closed To / Passengers When The / Central Station Opened. / York, Newcastle And Berwick Railway Co.

Used with permission, Nick Catford Source: http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/sunderland_fawcett_street/

Although the old Penshaw branch line terminated at Burdon Road, the terminus was named Fawcett Street Station to distinguish it from the Monkwearmouth and Hendon stations.

Used with permission, Nick Catford Source: http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/sunderland_fawcett_street

The manufacturer of this drinking fountain is unknown. A recessed round arch structure hosts a demi-lune basin. Water, dispersed into the basin via a spigot situated in the interior of the arch, was gathered into a metal cup suspended on a chain.

The arch faceplate hosts a medallion bearing the coat of arms of Sunderland and the city motto, “Nil Desperandum, Auspice Deo” translated as When God is on our side there is no cause for despair.

The fountain is decorated with two rosettes situated at the bottom corners and a foliate finial at the apex.

Used with permission, Tony Worrall. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyworrall/14775320557

Glossary

• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Foliate, decorated with leaves or leaf like motif
• Medallion, a circular device bearing a portrait or relief moulding
• Rosette, a round stylized flower design
• Spigot, a device that controls the flow of liquid

 

Ashton Park Fountain

Location: Preston, Lancashire, England

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. The structure is surmounted with an acorn shaped finial.

Two demi-lune basins originally offered a cup suspended on a chain for the use of humans, and at ground level, was a basin for dogs.

Used with permission, Tony Worrall. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyworrall/875406715

The plaque on the base is engraved with the legend; Fredk Bird & Co. / Engineers & / Ironfounders / London W.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heathercrook/11269018613

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.
• Demi-lune, 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

St. Leonard’s Square Fountain

Location: Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England

A cast iron drinking fountain replaced an ornamental pump which had been installed for use in the market place in 1835. The fountain presented to the town by Alderman Hawkins was of similar design to the fountain donated by Alderman Champion and erected in St Leonard’s Square in 1885. It no longer exists.

Circa 1908 St. Leonard’s Square

The fountain in St. Leonard’s Square was design #31 from the catalogue of Walter Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry in Glasgow. Seated on a circular stone plinth, the wide base was in the form of a St. Andrew’s cross with four lion jambs supporting four elaborately decorated quatrefoil basins for horses. The stanchion was decorated with bands of acanthus and alternating panels of cranes and swans.

Four consoles protruded from a circular fluted shaft to suspend drinking cups on chains. The standard design was offered with a round lamp.

Glossary:

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Fluted Shaft, a long rounded groove decorating the shaft of a column
• 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, upright bar or post providing support

 

Killowen Drinking Fountain

Location: Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

In the mid part of the 19^th century, homes in the Waterside area of Coleraine had no water supply. The drilling of a small diameter well in 1870 delivered spring water from 80 feet below the surface of Captain Street Lower. The fountain was most likely erected at the edge of the pavement around this time period. It was believed that the water held special powers and was delivered to the sick and dying.

Creative Commons License, Albert Bridge. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2825813

On ordnance survey maps of Coleraine, the fountain is indicated by the letter ‘P’ (for pump) in 1882; by WT (water trough) in 1904, 1922 and 1949; and as a pump in 1973 and subsequent years.

The Historic Buildings Unit of the DOE recorded the drinking fountain as a Category B+ listing on 22 March 2016, and in the spring of 2017 it was announced that the drinking fountain, which is still in operation and used daily by locals, will be restored.

Creative Commons License, Albert Bridge. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2825836

Design L34 by Glenfield Company Limited offers a square pedestal with geometric pattern on the base. All four sides have a panel edged with cable fret; the panel on the east side has a lion mascaron with a large circular flower or sun motif and a central button that activates the release of water. The manufacturer’s name is engraved below the mascaron; Glenfield Co. / Limited / Kilmarnock. A studded cornice beneath the capital supports a square base with nail head moulding surmounted with an urn finial (the original design offered a lamp post).

Glossary

• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• 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
• Fret, running or repeated ornament
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Nail head molding, a series of low four-sided pyramids
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue

 

Carmarthen Park Drinking Fountain

Location: Carmarthen, Wales

Carmarthen Park opened in 1900 and it is supposed that the drinking fountain located within the park near the Gorsedd Circle was erected in the same year.

Creative Commons License, Chris Whitehouse. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3230773

The fountain designed by the foundry of David King & Sons (Glasgow) was listed a Grade II historic building on 23 November 2003. It is seated in a concrete block on a two tiered octagonal plinth. The spiral fluted pedestal supports an octagonal capital decorated with alternate panels of rosettes and spigots. Four ornamental scroll consoles which protrude from the tapering shaft originally supported drinking cups. The finial is a tapered extension with two spheres.

The original design of this fountain offered a large circular basin. It is unknown if this model was customized or the basin was removed.

Creative Commons License, Chris Whitehouse. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3230773

Used with permission, John P. Bolton. Source: Scottish Ironworks Foundation

Glossary

• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Rosette, a round stylized flower design
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue
• Spigot, a device that controls the flow of liquid