The Fountain
| Latitude |
Longitude
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| 41°16'22.4'' | 73°29'52.4'' |
What residents of this town commonly refer to as "the fountain" is located at the intersection between West Lane and Main Street in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Next to it is the Congregational Church of Ridgefield. A little further down to the right is the West Lane Inn and restaurant. The fountain in Ridgefield is a common landmark. It provides assistance with telling directions. Another famous town landmark located across the street from the fountain on Main Street is the Keeler Tavern.
Presently, the 91-year-old fountain is still working. It is white stone on a little island with grass and bushes. The fountain is in the middle of the road of West Lane, which turns onto Main Street. During the winter, this fountain is covered with a glass dome. Generally this dome is put over the fountain in November, and, depending on how severe the winter is, taken off sometime in the spring. Throughout some of spring, summer and most of fall the fountain is working and water comes off the top and out of the little turtles near the base. During the Christmas season, wreaths are put on the glass dome covering the fountain.
The history of the fountain is something that not many people know about. A famous architect, Cass Gilbert, designed it. Gilbert lived in the Keeler Tavern, across the street from the location of the fountain. The fountain was built in 1907. Gilbert donated the fountain to the town in honor of his wife. Other famous buildings that were designed by Cass Gilbert include the United States Supreme Court and the Woolworth Building.
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