Louisville Falls Fountain

The Louisville Falls Fountain was intended as a major tourist attraction in Louisville, Kentucky. It was dedicated August 19 1988, five days after the death of its benefactor, Barry Bingham, Sr. who, along with his wife, had donated $2.6 million towards the project and future upkeep. The fountain, located near the Belle of Louisville and just west of the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, was supposed to be the tallest computer-controlled fountain in the world, and spewed 15,800 gallons of water per minute in the shape of a Fleur-de-lis. The Binghams were inspired by a fountain in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, and hoped a fountain in Louisville would become a symbol for the city on par with the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

It was to be in use from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving every day from morning through midnight, and stored during the winter in Utica, Indiana. It was lit by an array of colored lights, and visible from the Belvedere, as well as many locations in Downtown Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Costs were higher than expected, and the fountain malfunctioned several times, quickly depleting the maintenance fund. Maintenance was eventually taken over by the Louisville Water Company. It initially shot water to a height of 420 feet, though to lower operation costs this was eventually lowed by the water company to 375 feet.

Always a target for public criticism, the fountain was shut down permanently after malfunctions in 1998. It was eventually sold for scrap.

ee also

*History of Louisville, Kentucky

External links

* [http://leoweekly.com/?q=node/7507 "Falls Fountain Flashback"] — Article from August 19, 2008 issue of the "Louisville Eccentric Observer"