We thought with the weather warming up to look back at this photograph taken in the 1910s of the iron fountain that stood at the Main Street entrance to Central Park (now known as Vander Veer Botanical Park). The fountain stood where the electric fountain stands today.
The money for the fountain was donated anonymously (at the time) to the park board by park board member A. W. Vander Veer in 1907. 25 feet high with a 30 foot basin at the bottom, the spray fountain can be seen in the above picture surrounded by spring tulips. The trees are budding and the bandshell (now gone) can be seen in the right background of the photo.
By 1929, the park board was concerned with the structure as the iron had begun to rust. They feared it would be a safety issue to leave it up. Discussions were underway to replace the fountain when the Great Depression hit Davenport and all projects stopped.
In 1934, with financial support from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the old iron fountain was removed and work began on the cement and stone electric fountain that still stands in the park today.
The old fountain has not disappeared completely from Vander Veer Park though. Two faces from the fountain were saved and incorporated into the windmill feature inside the Conservatory.
With the weather warming up, it might be time to go exploring Vander Veer Botanical Park to search for signs of spring and hidden gems.
(posted by Amy D.)
