Thomas Temple Fountain facts for kids
The Thomas Temple Fountain is a special old fountain in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. It was made from strong cast iron and beautiful granite. Long ago, it was a drinking fountain for everyone – people, horses, and even dogs!
Today, the fountain doesn't give water anymore. Instead, it stands as a cool piece of public art that you can see. You can find it at the top of Queen Street, right near the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. In June 2011, this historic fountain was added to Fredericton's Local Historic Places Register, which means it's an important part of the city's history.
Contents
The Thomas Temple Fountain: A Historic Landmark
The Thomas Temple Fountain is more than just an old water source. It tells a story about how people and animals lived in Fredericton over a hundred years ago. It's a landmark that reminds us of the past.
Who Was Senator Thomas Temple?
The fountain was a gift to the city in 1899 from a kind man named Senator Thomas Temple. He was a senator, which means he was a leader who helped make laws for Canada. Senator Temple wanted to make sure everyone, including animals, had a place to get a drink.
He designed the fountain to be useful for many different users. Horses could drink from the big trough at the top. This trough is now used to hold pretty flowers in the summer! Dogs had their own special cast-iron bowl at the bottom. People could drink from cups that were chained inside little spaces on the sides of the fountain.
How Was the Fountain Built?
Building the Thomas Temple Fountain was a big project! Senator Temple bought the cast-iron parts in Ottawa. The heavy granite stone came from a quarry (a place where stone is dug out) right here in New Brunswick.
The granite was taken from Spoon Island, which is in the Saint John River near a town called Hampstead. A company named Tayte, Meating & Co. from Saint George, New Brunswick, put all the pieces together and built the fountain.
Where Can You Find It Today?
Even though it's not a working fountain anymore, the Thomas Temple Fountain is still a beautiful sight. It stands proudly at the north end of Queen Street. It's a great spot to visit if you're exploring Fredericton and want to see a piece of its history.
