HISTORY YOU SHOULD KNOW: It serves as a stone flower pot from another era today but the granite and iron aesthetic accoutrement that stands at the top of Island Wharf in Marion once had a very practical purpose. Erected in 1908 with a gift from the Elizabeth Taber Improvement Fund, the Taber Memorial Fountain is an enduring reminder of one womans generosity to her community. Upon her death in 1888, Marions major benefactress, after spending a good chunk of her fortune erecting the towns major municipal, civic and church buildings, left $20,000 in her will for the establishment of an Improvement Fund to be used for parks, fountains, trees and other town beautification projects. Back in the day, $20,000 went a long way. This fountain, which stands directly across from Marion Music Hall, another Elizabeth Taber gift to the town, was built from that fund 20 years after her death. The fountain served both two-legged and four-legged creatures. On one side, horses could get a drink from the trough. On the opposite side, there are two fountains at different levels. On the higher level,humans quenched their thirst from water that flowed from a granite lions head. On the lower level, canines could lap a drink. Before it was converted to its current use as a flower pot, the fountain also sported the newest community accessory of the day at the time at its top -- electric light -- illustrating that even in death the benevolent Mrs. Taber continued to show the way.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:18:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015