Portland, ME

We knew very little about the fountain in Portland, Maine other than what you can see from this great picture showing that it did exist at a location that we believe to be Congress St. near St. John St. However, some detective work has resulted in some additional information.

Based on a 1947 article in the Portland Evening Express as well as another from 1917, it appears that the city received the fountain in 1908 after a 1907 visit from the National Humane Alliance when the fountain was offered to the city. Alderman Frank Verrill chaired the committee that made the arrangements on behalf of the city and it was placed in Railroad Square though we are not sure of the exact location of Railroad Square.

As happened in so many other communities that received the fountains, they were quickly not needed for their original humane purpose of providing water for horses. At one point in time, Portland had 16 fountains for that purpose and they helped service the 2,076 horses listed on the books in Portland. By 1933, there were only 178 horses listed on the city books and the fountains were deemed to be a traffic hazard and a nuisance.

NHA Fountain pieces in storage in Portland, ME in 1947
Picture by Portland Evening Express
 

So, the impressive NHA Fountain with its equally impressive gas light was dismantled in 1934 and left in pieces near the city greenhouse. It was still there in 1947 as you can see in the picture. We don't know what became of it after that!

 

For more on the National Humane Alliance Fountains click here.


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