Robert Ray Hamilton Fountain

The ornate, baroque-styled marble fountain in Riverside Park is named after Robert Ray Hamilton, a prominent businessman, landowner, and politician who bequeathed $9,000 to the City of New York for its creation. It stands as one of the last surviving examples of decorative horse troughs that were once common in the city. Hamilton, a great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, used his wealth from Manhattan properties and inheritance to fund the fountain. The lavishly carved fountain is made of Tennessee marble and features an eagle, decorative motifs, a coat of arms, a dolphins’ head spray feature, and more. Erected during a time when horses dominated city streets, it served as a watering spot for them. Though it fell into disrepair, a 2009 restoration, funded by private donations, brought it back to its former glory. The Hamilton Fountain is now a significant historic monument in Riverside Park, maintained by the Riverside Park Conservancy. The inscription reads: BEQUEATHED TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK BY / ROBERT RAY HAMILTON