Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2012
1. Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain Marker
In 1907 this fountain, carved out of red granite, was erected by Kimball’s friends in a Shenandoah Avenue Park near the N&W passenger station. It provided water for “man and bird and beast.” Horses drank from the front basin, people from the rear, and dogs from the sides.
In 1993 Norfolk Southern’s third chairman, David R. Goode, had the fountain restored and moved to this site.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 37° 16.219′ N, 79° 56.287′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Williamson Road SE (U.S. 221) and Church Avenue SE, on the right when traveling south on Williamson Road SE. It is embedded in the pavement. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roanoke VA 24011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Wigmore Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holton Plaza (about 400 feet away); Fire Station No. 1 (about 600 feet away); Welcome to Historic Roanoke City Market
this page online
Regarding Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain. Quotes on three sides of the fountain are from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834).
Also see . . . Frederick J. Kimball. Wikipedia entry. “Under Kimball, the Norfolk & Western became famous for manufacturing steam locomotives in-house at its Roanoke shops. Kimball, whose interest in geology was responsible for the opening of the Pocahontas coalfields in western Virginia and West Virginia, pushed N&W lines through the wilds of West Virginia, north to Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and south to Durham and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This gave the railroad the route structure it was to use for more than 60 years.” (Submitted on April 4, 2015.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2012
2. Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain and Marker
This side is for the horses. Inscription reads “To him to whom we owe so much. Frederick J. Kimball”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2012
3. Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain
This side facing the dog fountain reads, “He prayeth well who loveth well both man and bird and beast.”
Courtesy Wikipedia
4. Frederick James Kimball (1844–1903)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2012
5. Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain
This is the rear of the fountain. The inscription facing humans reads, “He prayeth best who loveth best all things both great and small;” And on the side, “For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all.””
Photographed By Kevin W., March 25, 2024
6. Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 951 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on April 5, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on April 4, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
