Erskine Memorial Fountain

The Erskine Memorial Fountain, which was Atlanta’s first public fountain, is an even older structure than most of the Grant Park homes. It was originally dedicated to Judge John Erskine on May 2, 1896, at a location in what is now Midtown Atlanta (the corner of West Peachtree and Peachtree Streets). More than 1,500 people attended the ceremony. The bench and fountain were a gift to the city from Ruby Ward, as a tribute to her father, Judge John Erskine. After the surrounding streets were regraded in 1912, the fountain had to be relocated. It has resided in Grant Park for over 100 years. The Erskine Fountain is located off Cherokee Avenue and Ormond Street. 

The fountain and accompanying bench were designed by John Massey Rhind, who also designed three doors dedicated to John Jacob Astor, III in New York City’s Trinity Church. Rhind’s bronze and marble design for the fountain features an ocean theme, consisting of fish, seahorses, crabs and other sea life. Of the two, the bench is in better condition, and you can still see each sign of the Zodiac clearly visible along with an inscription that reads “This Fountain Is Erected in Memory of Judge John Erskine by His Daughter” carved into the backrest.

Today, the Erskine Fountain Fund (EFF) has been sanctioned and supported by the Grant Park Conservancy to restore this beautiful, historic work of public art. The EFF was formed by civic-minded individuals and organizations like the Atlanta Preservation Center, M.H. Mitchell Inc., Grant Park Conservancy and History Atlanta, which have taken it upon themselves to organize and manage the restoration. 

 

 

Erskine Fountain Restoration, another preservation project of The Grant Park Conservancy

 Phase I: Fountain and Bench Restoration

 This started with stabilization and expansion of the island the fountain sits on and the addition of a seat wall around the island. Next, we added all new plumbing and electrical to the site.

 The next stage is the restoration of the marble base and bench. We have a preservation expert working to rep

air the marble when possible. For marble that is beyond repair, we are purchasing new, matching replacement pieces which will be installed.

The next stage is the restoration of the bronze fountain itself. The topper of the fountain was lost long ago. With Friends of Erskine volunteers, a new topper was designed and a mold created by 3D printing. The bronze artist we have commissioned to do the restoration work will use this mold to create the new bronze topper. He is also recreating lost decorative elements from the fountain including lettering and fish figurines that once adorned the base of the fountain. Then, he will clean and add a new patina to the fountain, and put everything together – connect the recreated topper and other missing elements – to return the fountain to its original beauty.

Finally, our resident fountain expert, who restored the Milledge Fountain, is returning to help us connect everything and make sure the fountain runs perfectly.

The remaining phases of this project are dependent on raising additional funding.

Phase II of this project will be to replace the asphalt surrounding the fountain with a combination of pavers and greenspace.

 Phase III will be to reclaim and restore the courtyard behind the fountain.

Please donate to our preservation efforts today!