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• Type

  Map

  Title

  Map for Drinking Fountain, Dalmuir Park, Clydebank (LB52666)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600040727)

Summary

Description

A freestanding, cast-iron drinking fountain, dated 1907 and manufactured by Walter Macfarlane and Company of the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow. The fountain is set on an octagonal stone plinth and enclosed within an elaborate domed cast-iron canopy on columns. The fountain is painted, and the ornament is broadly naturalistic in character. It is no longer in use as a water fountain (2025) and is located on the southwest footpath of Dalmuir Park, in the Dalmuir area to the northwest of Clydebank.

The fountain is a four-sided design. The pedestal has four decorative legs with lion heads and paws, supporting a quatrefoil shaped fountain basin decorated with foliate and floral relief. The basin is topped with a splayed pedestal, decorated with foliage and herons, and a finial from which cast iron drinking cups were formerly suspended from chains (no longer present). The open filigree canopy has cusped arches with scalloped edges and the roundels above have decorative cartouches with alternating swan and heron motifs. A further cartouche depicts the Burgh of Clydebank coat of arms. The canopy's ribbed dome is of traceried metal with floral designs and is surmounted by an eagle finial. The canopy is supported by eight fluted columns with faceted capitals that feature heavily foliated friezes. Inside the canopy, statues of owls and swans surmount the capitals.

Historical background

The fountain was built in the McFarlane's Saracen Foundry in Possilpark, Glasgow and is first shown on the 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey map (surveyed 1914, published 1918). It was installed in 1907, in the newly established Dalmuir Park as a gift from the ex-Provost of Clydebank, Samuel Leckie.

Public water fountains became increasingly common throughout Britain from the mid-19th century onwards as a means of providing readily accessible clean drinking water, an amenity that was not formerly easily obtainable. A great number of commemorative public monuments were erected soon after Queen Victoria's death, and fountains became popular memorials, many of which were erected by public subscription. Drinking fountains also became a common feature of parks and town squares during the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods.

In December 1906 the Daily Record recorded that Clydebank Town Council accepted an ornamental drinking fountain as a gift from ex-Provost Samuel Leckie. The chosen site was within a new public park that was formerly part of the Dalmuir House landscape (demolished in 1929) and the associated Dalmuir Paper Mill complex. The town council purchased the land in 1906 for £5,000. In addition to the fountain, a cast iron bandstand manufactured by the Lion Foundry Co Ltd, was also donated to the new park. The bandstand was relocated to Whitecrook Park in 1935, and to its present site at Three Queens Square, Clydebank, in 1983.

The fountain and canopy castings were designed in the late 19th century and appear together as pattern reference no.20 in the Macfarlane and Son 6th edition catalogue, published in1890 (p.413). The fountain's standard design included taps which were activated by pushing the drinking cups against a small lever. It is not known if the drinking cups shown in the catalogue were originally part of the fountain in Dalmuir Park but they are no longer present. The canopy advertisement notes that all shields and inscriptions are customisable and that 'any of the fountains can be supplied with Dog Trough or with lamp on top'.

The fountain is no longer in use, but its overall form has remained largely unchanged since it was built. The structure was restored in 2012 as part of a wider scheme funded by West Dunbartonshire Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, which also involved the restoration of the park's landscaping and Edwardian

Statement of Special Interest

We have found that the Dalmuir Park Drinking Fountain meets the criteria for listing for the following reasons:

• The design is highly decorative and was manufactured by an internationally renowned Scottish ironworks.
• It has not been substantially altered since its installation.
• It remains in its original location, within an Edwardian public park.
• It is a major example for its date and type, and is one of a very small number of this casting pattern to survive worldwide.
• There is social historic interest as a highly decorative example of a civic amenity structure from the early 20th century.

Architectural interest

The fountain is a major example of a public drinking fountain from the Edwardian period. The ornate design is technically detailed and demonstrates high quality materials and craftsmanship. It is casting number 20 in the Macfarlane and Co. design catalogue, which was the largest and most elaborate of the free-standing canopied fountains that the company produced from the late 19th century into the earlier part of the 20th century. Although mass produced, the fountains could be customised with different motifs. In this case, symbolic natural elements relating to water, such as water lily leaves and herons standing in a reed bed, were chosen to reflect its setting within Dalmuir Park.

The Scottish Iron industry had been flourishing since the late 18th century and after the mid 19th century, Scotland became a global frontrunner in its manufacture. This cast-iron fountain at Dalmuir Park was produced by the renowned iron foundry of Walter Macfarlane and Company. The company operated from the Saracen Foundry, which opened in Glasgow around 1850. Walter Macfarlane was one of the major suppliers in the Scottish ironwork industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and they exported their decorative designs across the British Empire and the world. Their 6th edition catalogue (1890: pp. 401-599) demonstrates the variety and breadth of products that the firm designed and produced. It includes products from cast iron gutters to ornate gates, lamps, railings, and civic structures such as bandstands and fountains. The company closed in 1967.

The fountain is no longer connected to a water supply and some elements have been removed, including the tap and drinking cups. However, changes such as these are not uncommon for former civic fountains that have survived as decorative street furniture. Overall, it is a large-scale and ornate example of a freestanding fountain that remains largely complete and was designed by an internationally renowned Scottish iron foundry.

The fountain is situated in a prominent location within Dalmuir Park, which has mostly retained its Edwardian layout and landscaping. The setting is typical of a public fountain of this date and type and the fountain makes an important contribution to the historic character of the park. It remains in its original position, which is increasingly uncommon for street furniture of this period.

Historic interest

Public water fountains were installed from the mid-19th century to the earlier 20th century to provide fresh drinking water to both people and animals. The majority were small pillar type or wall mounted designs but some were more elaborate and could be contained within a decorative canopy. The fountain in Dalmuir park dates from a time when street furniture was often used to as a key feature of public squares and parks, and was often used to commemorate public events or people.

The number of new public fountains dropped dramatically in the earlier 20th century following the introduction of piped water to most housing. Many cast iron fountains were removed or destroyed in the mid and later 20th century. Some were removed and the cast iron repurposed as part of the war effort in the 1940s. Others have been removed or moved as part of town planning and changes to road layouts. Decorative cast iron fountains are subsequently relatively rare, and particularly those that remain in their original location.

The Scottish Ironwork Foundation records that there are only 9 other known examples of Macfarlane and Co.'s pattern no.20 fountain now surviving worldwide. Other examples in Scotland include the Saltoun fountain in Fraserburgh (listed at category B, ref: LB31970), the Hawkhead fountain in Paisely (not listed), the Martin fountain in Glasgow Green (listed at category B, ref: LB33839) and the Jubilee Fountain in Overtoun Park, Rutherglen (listed category B, ref: LB33571).

The fountain in Dalmuir Park is a rare example of its type in Scotland and worldwide, and one of only a small number to survive in their original location.

The fountain has social historic interest as an early 20th century civic structure that provided drinking water to improve public health. Combined with its location within a public park, it is representative of Edwardian philanthropy and ethos for social improvement through recreation and the provision of civic amenities.

There are no known close historical associations to figures or events of national significance.

References

Bibliography

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