Stratford in Perth County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Freeland Fountain

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 28, 2026

1. The Freeland Fountain Marker

Inscription. W. J. Freeland came to this city in 1886 as the first supervisor of music in Stratford public schools. Over the next eight years, he conducted numerous bands and choirs that were noted both locally and provincially for their performances as well as their morality and charity. As one of the area's first music teachers he was renowned for his ability to draw out his pupils voices and to teach them to sing by note.

In 1897, the Bands of Mercy, a junior branch of the Humane Society, and Freeland's numerous other students erected this fountain in his honour. Freeland's thoughtfulness and charity toward animals is evident in that the fountain provided drinking troughs for both horses and dogs as well as for humans. It is obvious that W. J. Freeland was fondly remembered for his many contributions to this community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 43° 22.296′ N, 80° 58.941′ W. Marker is in Stratford, Ontario, in Perth County. It is at the intersection of Ontario Street and Erie Street, on the right when traveling west on Ontario Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 Ontario Street, Stratford ON N5A 3H2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Shakespeare Hotel (a few steps from this marker); 70-76 Ontario (a few steps from this marker); The Saving of the Stratford Parks (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stratford War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Stratford Festival of Canada (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Stratford’s Furniture Industry (about 150 meters away); The Bandshell (about 150 meters away); Stratford City Hall / L’hôtel de Ville de Stratford (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stratford.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 28, 2026

2. The Freeland Fountain Marker

The Freeland Fountain in 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 28, 2026

3. The Freeland Fountain in 2026

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.