Lion Heads on Fountain - Waco, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 31° 33.509 W 097° 07.780
14R E 677519 N 3493014
Three bronze lion heads decorate this former National Humane Alliance Fountain... Plaque says it was placed in 1909. Today it is just a statue of polished granite with bronze lion heads.
Waymark Code: WM137G8
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/03/2020
Views: 1
From John Lopez BlogSpot:The fountain is the legacy of Hermon Lee Ensign. Before his death in 1899, Ensign made his fortune in publishing and advertising. He was also founder of the Humane Alliance, a group dedicated to improving the lives of horses and other beasts of burden.
When he died, a large portion of his estate went to the Humane Alliance's drinking fountain program. The group donated at least 130 fountains to municipalities in 44 states. They were of various designs. Most were made of polished Maine granite and trimmed in bronze.
Water used to pour from the lion heads into the horse trough. At the base smaller water-filled troughs allowed cats and dogs to drink.