Was this a drinking fountain at Roundhay Park?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 3:11 pm

I took the photo of this object when walking in part of Roundhay Park on February 28 2012. It is between the Mansion and the Upper Lake. It was not marked on the simple maps in the park that show some features. As it seemed not to be doing anything (apart from having litter in it) I wondered what I might have been. Using the Old-Maps UK website nothing was marked there in an 1851 map but a 'Drinking Fountain' is marked at where the object would seem to be in an 1893 map and in maps to 1951-65 but is not marked in an 1982-1987 map. It would therefore seem to be the drinking fountain, though the stonework does not look old so it presumably was rebuilt at some stage. I do not recall seeing it before on my visits to the Park. As there are chopped trees there and with the ground around the object not being grass covered (? due to trees shading the ground too much) I wonder if it has been at least partly hidden until recently? Does anyone know when it ceased to be a drinking fountain?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 3:12 pm

This photo shows a closer view of the object.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 3:15 pm

For interest (hopefully ) this is the part of the 1893 map that records the 'Drinking Fountain'.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 3:21 pm

Don't remember that

PJ · Post by PJ » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 4:20 pm

This it before semi-demolished?http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

Brenn · Post by **Brenn** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 7:14 pm

the fountain in PJ's link is Barron's fountain which is situated between the upper and waterloo lake - it's recently been restored rather than demolished.Puzzled as to what the feacture is?

String o' beads · Post by **String o' beads** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 7:19 pm

I remember this drinking fountain and I do believe it was still where marked on the site on the map when I was a tiddler.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 11:12 pm

I've tried looking for information and/or images of that probable drinking fountain but have not found any. This photo (taken February 28 2012) has the Mansion and may better show the location of the fountain remains.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Wed 29 Feb, 2012 11:16 pm

This is a different closer view than that in an earlier post of mine that shows the possible remains of the fountain.

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Thu 01 Mar, 2012 9:45 am

It is indeed (or was) a drinking fountain though as to the actual date it fell out of use I cannot tell you. The other fountain was of course a gift to the people of Leeds from John Barran. Clearly bought to give to the people of Leeds so he could be remembered for ever more for his foresight in buying the park!