Page 4 - TL Spirit of Hot Springs May 2016

4TT • SPIRIT OF HOT SPRINGS • SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016 TRILAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRATGAZETTE ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
By Spencer Griffin
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
It would be no surprise to find a fountain in the city of Hot Springs; however, many people may not realize that there has been a historic fountain in the city for the sole purpose of providing water for animals, and that is the National Humane Alliance Water Trough Fountain.
In 1897, a wealthy advertising executive, Hermon Lee Ensign, incorporated the National Humane Alliance as a result of his love of animals. At the time of his death in 1899, Ensign had made arrangements to leave a large chunk of his fortune to the alliance.Through this, the alliance was able to honor his memory by placing an estimated 125 animal fountains on the streets of cities across the country between 1906 and 1912.The solid granite fountains weighed approximately 6 tons and featured lion-head spouts on three sides with a dedication plaque on the fourth.The large bowl provided water for horses, while smaller bowls at ground level provided water for dogs and cats.
Around 1909, Hot Springs received one of these fountains and found a home for it at what was then Malvern Avenue and Valley Street. In the 1920s, Judge David Whittington arranged for the fountain to be moved to Sleepy Valley Springs because of the increase in automotive transportation.Inthelate1970s,ThomasE.Reed and Ida Lee Reed acquired the fountain. It was their grandson, Greg Reed, who contacted Hot Springs City Manager David Watkins in 2014 to see if there the city had an interest in reclaiming the fountain. Jean Wallace, Parks and Trails Department director for the city of Hot Springs, suggested that the fountain be incorporated into a new city plaza that was to be constructed near the fountain’s original site.The re-dedication ceremony for the fountain was held April 7 at Malvern Avenue and Broadway Street, the fountain’s current location.
Wallace said the event was a success, and there were some surprise visitors during the day. “We had several special surprises before and after the re-dedication ceremony. Street entertainers, such as a juggler, a mime and a magician, enter tained the audience before the event began,” she said.“Afterward, we had a horse ride up to the fountain and take a drink. Several dogs belonging to the members of the audience
came forward and drank from the lower bowls.” She said the fountain and plaza represent
what the community is all about.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
FRIENDLY FOUNTAIN
City’s fountain carries decades of history
On April 7, during the National Humane Alliance Water Trough Foundation rededication ceremony, a horse trots up to the fountain and drinks from the upper bowl, as this was the fountain’s original use.
“The fountain represents Hot Springs’ commitment to honoring our past while envisioningourfuture,”shesaid.“Theplazadesign incorporates our ongoing walkability efforts by reclaiming an unused area into a pedestrian- friendly space.”
Wallace added that the significance of the fountain is to show others to be kind to animals and to each other. She said the rededicating of the fountain and the process to do so was destined to succeed from the beginning.
“From the very beginning, this project was meant to be. Every time we hit a snag, the solution wasn’t far behind,” she said. “Many citizens, businesses and organizations donated services and materials. And every person who heard about the fountain became excited and determined to help move the project along.As an example of how things came together, it turned out that Ron Jarrell, the plumber who donated the fountain plumbing, was the uncle of Greg Reed, who donated the fountain back to the city of Hot Springs.They had a mini family reunion after the re-dedication ceremony.”
This unique, somewhat unknown part of Hot Springs history speaks to the vast stories the city’s walls have to tell.
This fountain and approximately 125 others like it were built and distributed around 1906 to 1912 and weighed approximately 6 tons each.This is its original location at Malvern Avenue and Valley Street.