Fountain

In early summer of 1883, enthusiastic Angelica resident George G Chapman “conceived the idea of placing a drinking fountain for man and beast, at the head of Main Street on the west side of the village.” As was his temperament, he immediately began working. Within weeks, the octagonal stone base was chiseled in place and a fifteen-foot tall 2,200-pound bronze fountain with four basins, cups chained to it, and a lamp capping it off had been ordered at the cost of several hundred dollars. After a few delays, Mr. Chapman proposed having the water piped from his house located at 72 East Main Street, almost a quarter mile! He said “as long as he remains in Angelica, he will keep the fountain supplied with water.” A few years later in the winter of 1897, Harvey Winship and Fred Lilly were racing their sleighs down Main Street. Fred could not clear the fountain, unfortunately knocking it over with his sleigh. It is unclear if the fountain was still in use, if it was repaired, or when it was finally removed.