Fountain, Victoria Square

Introduction

The photograph on this page of Fountain, Victoria Square by Ian Capper as part of the Geograph project.

The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk

Fountain, Victoria Square

Image: © Ian Capper Taken: 3 Dec 2011

Included in the 1980s development of Victoria Square was this drinking fountain. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, this originally had stood in front of the Clock Tower in High Street (see Image). This was where an Eleanor Cross had previously stood until 1703, when it was pulled down due to neglect and replaced by the town pump, which in turn was replaced by this fountain in 1874, donated by a wealthy widow, Mrs Isabella Worley. For photos of the fountain in its original position see http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/content/view/full/10120 and http://www.francisfrith.com/st-albans/photos/drinking-fountain-1921_70477x/. However, in the 1920s/30s increasing traffic meant that it was causing an obstruction, and so it was removed. Its intervening history is unclear, the bowl and fountain having reputedly been rescued by a passer by and then kept in various locations around the city. Its relocation in Victoria Square on a reproduction plinth gives the development a focal point, as seen in Image It is locally listed.

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