 The fountain in 2021 | |
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| Location | Grant Park,Atlanta,Georgia,United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°43′53″N84°22′24″W / 33.73139°N 84.37333°W /33.73139; -84.37333 |
| Designer | J. Massey Rhind |
| Type | Fountain |
| Material | Bronze |
| Dedicated date | May 2, 1896 |
| Dedicated to | John Erskine |
TheErskine Memorial Fountain is a public fountain inGrant Park ofAtlanta,Georgia,United States. Designed byJ. Massey Rhind in honor ofJohn Erskine, it was the first public fountain in Atlanta. The fountain was built in 1896 and moved to its current location in 1912.
The fountain was built to honorJohn Erskine, a Federal judge fromAtlanta who died in 1895.[1] The fountain, which cost $15,000 to build, was a gift from Erskine's daughter to the city of Atlanta and was dedicated by MayorPorter King on May 2, 1896.[2] It was the first public fountain in Atlanta.[3] The fountain was originally placed at what is nowHardy Ivy Park, at the diversion ofPeachtree Street and West Peachtree Street.[2] The fountain replaced astatue of Benjamin Harvey Hill,[4] which was moved from the location to theGeorgia State Capitol, where it still stands.[1] The fountain and accompanying bench were designed byJ. Massey Rhind and feature an ocean theme, along with inscriptions of theZodiac signs.[1] The lower bowl of the fountain originally had bronze cups attached with chains to allow people to drink from it, though these have since been removed.[2]
In 1912, regrading of the nearby streets caused the fountain to be several feet higher than the surrounding sidewalks. While a city official initially recommended the fountain "lowered or removed entirely", public outcry, including fromForrest Adair, resulted in the fountain being moved to another location in the city. While it was initially proposed to be relocated toPiedmont Park, the fountain was ultimately relocated toGrant Park by late 1912, where it overlooked Lake Abana.[1] The area is now home toZoo Atlanta.[5]
Since its relocation, the fountain has experienced extensive neglect and is today inoperable, having also lost several of its decorative ornaments.[6] Recently, efforts at preservation have included the creation of the Erskine Fountain Fund to restore the fountain.[7][8] In 2019, a $100,000 grant was awarded to the Grant Park Conservancy to help restore the fountain and other historic monuments in the park.[6]
