Depew Memorial Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Depew Memorial Fountain |
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Depew Memorial Fountain in 2016
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| Artist | Alexander Stirling Calder Karl Bitter Henry Bacon |
| Year | 1915 |
| Medium | Bronze and granite |
| Dimensions | 25 by 45 feet (7.6 m × 13.7 m) |
| Location | University Park Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 39°46′19″N 86°9′25″W / 39.77194°N 86.15694°W | |
| Owner | City of Indianapolis |
The Depew Memorial Fountain is a beautiful outdoor fountain. It was finished in 1919. You can find it in University Park in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. It's part of the larger Indiana World War Memorial Plaza.
Contents
What Does the Depew Fountain Look Like?
This fountain is made of many bronze statues. They are placed on a tall base of pink granite stone. The base has five levels and three water basins.
Bronze Figures and Details
The bronze statues show different things. You can see fish, eight children dancing, and a woman. This woman is on the very top level. She is dancing and playing cymbals. The fountain is about 25 feet tall and 45 feet wide.
Remembering Dr. Depew
On the south side of the large granite base, there is a special plaque. It says that the fountain is a gift to Indianapolis. It was given by Emma Ely Depew. She wanted to remember her husband, Dr. Richard Johnson Depew. He spent his life helping others.
Who Designed the Depew Fountain?
Three important artists worked on the Depew Memorial Fountain. They were:
- Alexander Stirling Calder (1870–1945, American)
- Karl Bitter (1867–1915, Austrian/American)
- Henry Bacon (1866–1924, American)
History of the Depew Memorial Fountain
University Park was redesigned in 1914. This was done by George Edward Kessler. He created a plan for parks and boulevards in Indianapolis. The Depew Fountain was a key part of his original design. It was first planned by sculptor Karl Bitter in the same year.
Why Was the Fountain Built?
The Depew Memorial Fountain was built to honor Dr. Richard J. Depew. His wife, Emma Ely, wanted to remember him after he passed away in 1887. When Mrs. Depew died in 1913, she left $50,000 in her will. This money was for the city of Indianapolis. She wanted a fountain built in her husband's memory. She hoped it would be in a public place for everyone to enjoy.
The Artists' Contributions
An information plaque on the north side of the fountain explains more. It tells us that three famous artists worked on this public art piece.
The first design was made by Karl Bitter. Sadly, he died in a traffic accident in 1915. He could not finish the work. After his death, Alexander Stirling Calder took over. He created the bronze figures and the fountain itself. Henry Bacon, a well-known landscape architect, designed the area around the fountain.
A Special Celebration
In 1926, young women from the Albertina Rasch ballet performed. They danced around the fountain. Their movements copied the bronze statues on the fountain. This special dance celebrated the fountain's 10th anniversary.
