Tyler Davidson Fountain

Infobox City
official_name = Tyler Davidson Fountain
nickname = "The Lady"
website = http://www.myfountainsquare.com

---

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Ohio
subdivision_name2 = Downtown Cincinnati
subdivision_name3 = Hamilton
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1871
area_code = 513
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_dst = EDT
utc_offset_dst = -4
latd = 39
latm = 8
lats = 10
latNS = N
longd = 84
longm = 30
longs = 11
longEW = W
elevation_m = 147
elevation_ft = 482
footnotes = The Tyler Davidson Fountain is a statue located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is regarded as the city's symbol and one of the area's most-visited attractions. It was dedicated in 1871 and is the centerpiece of Fountain Square, a hardscape plaza at the corner of Fifth and Vine Streets in the downtown area. It is surrounded by stores, hotels, restaurants and offices. In 2006 renovations were done to Fountain Square and the Tyler Davidson Fountain was removed and then later put back, however it was moved further up towards 5/3rd Bank. The fountain is turned off each winter and turned on again in April for the first home game of Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds, the oldest professional baseball team.

Characteristics

The 43-foot-tall fountain is cast in bronze and sits on a granite base. Its proper name is "The Genius of Water" and it features a nine-foot tall bronze statue of a woman with outstretched hands out of which flow streams of water. Several smaller central human figures represent the practical uses of water and four outer figures with animals represent the pleasures of water. These were formerly working drinking fountains. Panels on its lower part depict the industrial uses of water. It is colloquially referred to as "The Fountain".

The entire construct is made of approximately 24 tons of bronze and 85 tons of granite. It is estimated that 500 gallons of water flow through it every minute.

History

After the death of his brother-in-law and business partner Tyler Davidson, Cincinnati businessman Henry Probasco went to Munich, Germany in search of a suitable memorial to him. Many years before, artist August von Kreling had collaborated with Ferdinand von Miller at the Royal Bronze Foundry of Bavaria to design a fountain to rival the great fountains of Europe but which would glorify mankind rather than fanciful creatures and mythic deities. When Miller could find no patron to sponsor the fountain, the designs languished until Probasco came to him with an interest in a similar theme. Probasco requested the addition of four figures with animals that would act as drinking fountains, which Miller's sons designed. The original miniature model is now located in the Cincinnati Art Museum.

The fountain was cast in separate sections at the foundry and shipped to Cincinnati for assembly. Probasco requested that the City of Cincinnati remove the dilapidated market along 5th Street between Vine and Walnut Streets for the fountain. In its place an esplanade bisecting 5th Street was built, the designer was architect William Tinsley. Tinsley had also designed the Henry Probasco House in the suburb of Clifton. The esplanade made the fountain easily visible to anyone traveling by. Miller traveled to Cincinnati for the dedication ceremony, which took place on October 6, [1871] ,] it is estimated that 20,000 people were present. Miller and Von Kreling enjoyed a degree of celebrity in the city. [Cincinnati Observed: Architecture and History]

The fountain originally faced east, towards Europe, where much of Cincinnati's population originated. When Fountain Square was redone in the late 1960s, the fountain was realigned to face west. With the newest rendition of Fountain Square, the fountain faces to south since it is in the back of the square.

The fountain was renovated for the first time in 1970 for a celebration of its centennial. The Fountain Square plaza was also redesigned for better traffic flow, and the fountain was moved and turned to face west rather than east. Additional repairs and another refurbishing project was undertaken in 1999. In 2005, as part of Fountain Square's revitalization, the city decided to move the entire fountain to the center of Fountain Square. The estimated cost was approximately $42 million. The city was responsible for $4 million. During the renovation the fountain was on display at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Fountain Square reopened on October 14, 2006 with an elaborate ceremony that included different stages for multiple bands, food, beer and fireworks. The fountain continues to be a backdrop for various cultural events in Cincinnati: movie nights, game shows, and the ice rink which opens in the winter.

The fountain is most familiar to non-Cincinnati residents for being featured in the opening credits (at its former location) of the television series "WKRP in Cincinnati".

ee also

Fountain Square, Cincinnati

WKRP in Cincinnati

List of Statues of the World

External links

* [http://vrcincinnati.com/cubicvr/cubicsquare.htm Fountain Square in 3D (QuickTime required)]
* [http://www.mckaylodge.com/tylerdavidson/history/history.html History of the fountain]
* [http://library.cincymuseum.org/cinfaq7menu.htm Cincinnati museum article]
* [http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/greatart/tour_europaint2.shtml Model of the fountain]
* [http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1999/05/06/loc_fountains_fixing_is.html 1999 renovation news story]
* [http://www.placeopedia.com/?4632 Fountain Square] at Placeopedia
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=501+Vine+St,+Cincinnati,+OH+45202&spn=0.005630,0.010807&hl=en Google map of the fountain]

Footnotes

1. "Cincinnati Observed: Architecture and History" by John Clubbe