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Dr. J. R. Blanchard, North Melbourne Drinking Fountain (2), 1973

Record details

Title:

Reference number:

20237

Level of description:

Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)

Type of materials:

Graphic materials

Part of:

Sub-collection: North Melbourne and West Melbourne (HC_NORTH)

Access restrictions:

Unrestrictedlibrary owns image (image on public access)

Use restrictions:

Unrestricted

General notes:

Dr J.R. Blanchard at the Errol St drinking fountain, located in front of North Melbourne Town Hall and Post Office.Notes: The Drinking fountain is 9 feet 6 inches high. The structure consists of four columns, from the capitals of which consoles with griffin terminals unite with arches formed of decorated mouldings. Rope moulded cartouches contained within each lunette host the image of a crane, and on two of the sides provision was made for receiving an inscription using raised metal letters; whilst on the other two sides was the useful monition, "Keep the pavement dry". The structure is surmounted by an open filigree dome, the finial being a crown with extended spike. Under the canopy stands a font 5 foot 8 inches high. The basin which has a scalloped edge and decorative relief is supported by a single decorative pedestal with four pilasters and four descending salamanders, a symbol of courage and bravery. The original design offered a central urn with four consoles offering drinking cups suspended by chains, and had the statuette of a crane, but as modifications and embellishments were accommodated, it was replaced with a kangaroo. In 1877, Thomas Henderson (1822-1907) presented the fountain to the people of Hotham (now North Melbourne) to mark the end of his term as mayor. Designed by Walter MacFarlane (1817-1885) and cast by his prominent Glaswegian Saracen Foundry, it has an imposing circular canopy richly decorated with cast-iron lacework. The fountain was originally sited in the roadway at the intersection of Errol and Queensberry Streets, but was moved in 1889 to allow for the construction of the new cable-tram tracks. In 1917, it was moved to the footpath, but without its bluestone steps and iron railings. In 1972, a vehicle collided with the fountain, damaging its wonderful canopy. Consequently, the following year it was moved to its current and safer location outside the Post office. Prior to the mid-1960s, the fountain's drinking spout was replaced with a modern Danks 'bubbler', but in 2001 a duplicate of the original was created - including the small figure of a kangaroo - based on MacFarlane's original drawings and on moulds from similar fountains.Dr. Blanchard and his wife were two of the foundation members of the North Melbourne Association. For many years Dr. Blanchard was convenor of the Association’s history group. The material which he helped to collect is now in the North Melbourne Library.

Names:

Blanchard, Dr J RHenderson, Thomas (1822 - 1907)MacFarlane, Walter (1817 - 1885)

Topics: