Rose Fountain
Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
German brothers B. W. and Isaac Edward “Ike” Rose came to nearby Cedar Grove in 1873 and the same year moved to Wills Point, where they opened Rose Dry Goods Store. In 1884, Ike moved to Dallas and was a successful entrepreneur. B. W. remained in Wills Point. In 1916, Ike and Mayor Henry Gilchrist discussed a gift to the city. Ike chose a fountain, not as a memorial, but as a gift of appreciation to a city he loved. The concrete fountain has a circular base with steps, water troughs, vases, and a central column with globe lights and finial. The iconic fountain serves as a gathering spot, a focus for celebrations, and a welcome to the city’s historic commercial district.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
German-born brothers B. W. and Isaac 'Ike' Rose arrived near Wills Point in 1873 and opened Rose Dry Goods Store, with Ike later making his fortune as a Dallas entrepreneur while B. W. stayed on. In 1916 Ike, wanting to thank a town he loved, worked with Mayor Henry Gilchrist to give Wills Point a fountain rather than a memorial. The ornate concrete fountain, with its stepped base, water troughs, and globe-lit central column, has served ever since as a gathering place and gateway to the historic commercial district.
Why it matters
The Rose Fountain reflects the immigrant success story and civic generosity that shaped countless American small towns in the early twentieth century.
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Related people
- · Isaac Edward Rose
- · B. W. Rose
- · Henry Gilchrist
Themes & tags
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