This Fall River Fountain Has a Strange History

You've probably passed by it numerous times. It may have caught your eye when stopped at a red light at the intersection of Bedford, Central and North and South Main Streets in Fall River – but do you know what it is and why it's there?

And are there more?

This mysterious drinking fountain dates back to the 1800s. The man behind it? Henry D. Cogswell, a dentist who wanted to provide a solution to the public.

At the time, the drinking water was so dirty and poor tasting that many Americans turned to alcohol as a “healthy” alternative. In case you're wondering, tea and coffee were more costly than today.

Cogswell’s goal was to change the habits and bring clean drinking water to the people with Temperance Fountains – "temperance" defined as moderation or voluntary self- restraint.

His intention was to make 100 fountains and although he never hit that milestone number, many were made and some still stand.

Two are located in the area and can be found in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Fall River, Massachusetts.

These photos are of the Fall River Temperance Fountain, standing on the corner of Bedford and South Main Street.

This lavish fountain has carvings on two sides and inscriptions on the others.

Cogswell’s initials "HDC" combine as the symbol centered on the pillar and a dedication reads on the backside “Presented to the citizens and mill operatives. By Henry D. Cogswell D.D.S. of San Francisco. Who in 1833 as a factory boy marched to the music of the bell.”

As you can see, the inscription reads, “Citizens and strangers drink freely of this cooling stream. It will promote temperance, faith, hope, and charity. The records of 1882 deposited within will rejoice antiquarians.”

This unique structure (complete with a water basin for dogs) should be celebrated.

Fountains in San Francisco, Rockville, Connecticut and Dubuque, Iowa are among the many that have been torn down over time.

I have to be honest, it took me a little while to find, so I’m also including the coordinates if you want to plug it into Google Maps (41°42'06.6"N 71°09'19.7"W). Enjoy!