Horse Show Fountain facts for kids
The Horse Show Fountain, also known as the Wright-Bock Fountain, is a special fountain located in Oak Park, Illinois. This town is a suburb near Chicago, United States. The fountain was first put up in 1909. Many people believe it was designed by sculptor Richard Bock and architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Today, the fountain stands in Scoville Park. However, this isn't its first spot, and the fountain you see now isn't the original one. It was rebuilt in 1969 because the old one was falling apart. The original fountain was only about 100 feet (30 meters) from where it is now. Scoville Park is a historic district on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. But the fountain itself is a replica, so it's not considered an original part of the historic listing.
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History of the Fountain
The Wright-Bock Fountain was first built in 1909 by the Oak Park Horse Show Association. It was placed on Lake Street, a short distance from its current spot. The fountain was made for everyone: people, horses, and even dogs!
The design of the fountain is a bit of a mystery. Most people think sculptor Richard Bock designed it. However, a historian named Donald P. Hallmark said Bock designed it with help from the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Bock often created sculptures for Wright's buildings. He even worked in Wright's studio in Oak Park for a while.
Bock himself suggested that Wright was the one who wanted the open space in the middle of the fountain. Because of this, Wright "began to claim the whole project." The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation says it's Wright's design from 1903. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust lists Wright as the architect and Bock as the sculptor. So, it's a team effort!
Rebuilding the Fountain
In 1969, the original fountain was in bad shape. So, it was completely rebuilt. The new, replica fountain was placed in Scoville Park. This new spot was paved with bricks and had concrete benches nearby.
During the rebuilding, all the original parts of the fountain were replaced. The old concrete was replaced with new concrete that had a rougher look. The Oak Park Beautification Commission watched over the rebuilding work. John Michiels, an architect, designed the new version. A local sculptor named Gerald Jaquard copied Bock's original artwork.
Some changes were made to the design. For example, the planters were lined with zinc. Also, new recessed lights were added. Sadly, the original message carved into the fountain was lost during this rebuilding.
Fountain Design Details
The fountain is made of rectangular concrete slabs. It looks very wide and flat, emphasizing its horizontal shape. Two tall, thin concrete slabs stand up like posts. They hold up a long, flat piece called a lintel at the top. This lintel sticks out past the posts and works as a planter for flowers.
At the bottom of the fountain, a concrete wall connects the two tall posts. Above this wall is another flat concrete slab. This is the actual fountain part. It looks similar to the planter at the top. On each side of the fountain, at its base, there used to be two concrete pools. These pools have since been changed into flower beds.
Artwork and Inscriptions
The open space in the middle of the fountain has special concrete panels. These panels feature sculptures by Bock and messages. The concrete slabs themselves don't have much decoration. You can see carved triangles and slanted rectangles on the front and back of the top planter. There are also carved pyramids on the front and back of the fountain tray.
Above the fountain, there are more carvings and detailed decorations. The messages are on concrete panels above the fountain tray. One panel says, "Erected in 1909 Oak Park Horse Show Association." The other says, "Wright-Bock Plaza Fountain restored 1969." The message about the Horse Show Association is on a sculpted plaque. Two kneeling female figures hold this plaque. Below the plaque is a tree trunk, and above it are tree leaves. Underneath these message panels, there are hidden lights. These lights shine on the fountain tray and on other carved tablets inside the tall posts.
