Shelbyville Fountain
Shelby County, Shelby County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
Shelbyville Fountain. This fountain was purchased jointly in 1895 by city and county from J. L. Mott Iron Works, New York. It was erected at intersection of Fifth and Main Sts. upon the completion of Shelbyville's first public water works. Moved in 1914 to public square to clear the street after construction of new courthouse. Figure chosen for top of fountain is "Atlantis" pattern.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
This ornate cast-iron fountain was purchased jointly by the city and county of Shelbyville in 1895 from New York's J. L. Mott Iron Works to celebrate the town's first public water works. Originally placed at Fifth and Main, it was moved in 1914 to the public square to make way for a new courthouse. Its crowning figure follows Mott's "Atlantis" pattern.
Why it matters
The fountain is a proud emblem of the Gilded Age push to bring modern municipal water and civic beautification to America's growing towns.
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Themes & tags
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