The Fountain; from 1908 to the present
by C. Todd Woodson

The exact origin of the Monroe Park Fountain, both in terms of designer and casting birthplace today remains somewhat of an enigma. The Monroe Park inventory of the National Register of Historic Places specifies:

" Fountain: cast-iron; four tier; circa 1903; cast by J. W. Fiske. The first tier is a large basin supported by acanthus leaves; water pours from four masks on the side of this basin into a lower pool. The second tier is supported by four dragons; the upper tiers are simpler in design and diminish in size..."

While it is certainly possible that the fountain was designed by J. W. Fiske, a popular supplier of Victorian style fountains of that era, the company apparently never did its own castings, using instead foundries in New York and Alabama to execute their designs. And although 1903 is certainly in the ballpark, the
following excerpt, dated July 24, 1962, comes from a letter to the editor of the Richmond News leader written by noted Richmond historian Mary Winfield Scott:

" In the early 1900's, there was a rock fountain in Monroe Park, similar to the one recently removed from the Capitol Square, but larger. My guess is that the iron one was put in about 1908."

Another fascinating clue is gleened from a March 10th, 1951 News leader Forum Special written by George W. Rogers, remarking on the 1858 national exposition which was held in the park:

" The main exposition tent was pitched in the space where the present four tier iron fountain, designed by Colonel William E. Cutshaw (sic), City engineer of Richmond for 34 years, now stands..."

Mr. Rogers continues:

"When Colonel Cutshaw became city engineer in 1873, he began the development of Monroe Square. The first hedge around the grounds was osage orange, a fast, thick grower that prevented the nearby residents' cows and goats from feasting on the shrubs."

Colonel Wilfred E. Cutshaw (1838-1907) must have certainly held responsibility for the fountain planning as well as for other park amenities. A noted Civil War veteran, Colonel Cutshaw was also responsible for the Byrd Park Pump House, a Victorian Gothic style building erected around 1 882 and the First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory on Leigh street in Jackson Ward built in 1895 as well as many other historic Richmond landmarks and planning decisions.

In the Victorian style, the fountain plaza is located in the center of Monroe Park. According to Victorian symbolism, the acanthus leaves of the fountain represent a "garden of Peace in Heaven", whereas the terrifying grotesques remind us "to be vigilant, because evil is out there on our heels." (Incidently, if the grotesques were spitting water, they would technically be considered "gargoyles".)

The fountain has been enjoyed by generations of Richmonders. It has seen nearly a hundred years of Richmond history. Most importantly, it has seen the Monroe Park area metamorphasize from a district with few residents to a heavily populated one. City Councilman William Pantele observed recently that from 1998 to the latter part of this decade, there will be 3000 new residential units within walking distance of Monroe Park. This is certainly a compelling reason to restore and maintain this Victorian treasure!

Fountain Historic Photos