Corning Fountain

Corning Fountain with State Capitol behind it

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Coordinates: 41°45′59.83″N 72°40′51.76″W / 41.7666194°N 72.6810444°W / 41.7666194; -72.6810444

Corning Fountain is a fountain with sculpture located in Bushnell Park, Hartford, Connecticut.

The two-tiered fountain was designed by sculptor J. Massey Rhind and dedicated in 1899. It was given to the city by in memory of his father, John Benton Corning (1811–1896), a Hartford businessman who operated a grist mill on the site. It is 28 feet tall, made of bronze and granite, and features stylized Saukiog and Oneida Indians topped with the figure of a stag (hart) as Hartford's emblem.

The fountain features four bronze Saukiog braves around the lower basin, a center pedestal surrounded by four bronze Oneida maidens, and an upper basin topped by a bronze hart. The Saukiog braves are: (west side) holding a spear; (south side) wearing a feathered headdress and scanning the horizon; (east side) raising a tomahawk; (north side) holding a peacepipe and lifting his hand in a gesture of peace. Below the upper basin are four animal heads as water spouts (a catamount, a bear, a fox, and a beaver). As viewed Sept. 15, 2017 these have been removed. Below the lower basin are four lion heads, which arealso water spouts. Water flows over the edges of each tier and into a large concrete basin at the base of the fountain.

The text on the bronze plaque in front of the base reads, "THIS FOUNTAIN IS / ERECTED AS A TRIBUTE / TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN B. CORNING BY HIS SON / JOHN J. CORNING 1899."

See also[]

• History of fountains in the United States

References[]

• Smithsonian Institution
• Bushnell Park Foundation
• Hartford Preservation Alliance