City Hall Park Fountain

Description

Material: Bronze, graniteDimensions: H 15'0 x W 30'0 x D 30'0

Square pool with candelabrum at each corner; central column consisting of circular basin with umbrella above, surmounted by fixture

Installed, 1842

The Croton Fountain was placed in the center of City Hall Park to celebrate the Croton Aqueduct, New York City’s first dependable supply of pure water. The aqueduct drew water from the Croton Dam more than 40 miles (64 km) north of the city and was considered one of the great engineering feats of the 19th century.

Constructed, 1872

In 1871 the Croton Fountain was replaced by a new fountain designed by Jacob Wrey Mould, co-designer of Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain, which became the centerpiece of the smaller park.

The pool and column on the City Hall Park Fountain are made of granite, while the candelabra is made of cast bronze.

Rededication, Oct 7, 1999

Factoids

1842 -On opening day in 1842, President John Tyler was on hand to witness the plume from the Croton-fed City Hall fountain surge 50 feet high,” wrote The New York Times‘ Sam Roberts in his new book, A History of New York in 101 Objects.

Former president John Quincy Adams also attended opening day.

Former president Martin Van Buren also attended opening day for the City Hall Park Fountain

Related Sites

City Hall Park

Related Playlist

Calvert Vaux Compilation

Timeline

1842