Rockville in Vernon in Tolland County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Cogswell Memorial Fountain
Photographed By Michael Herrick, December 21, 2017
1. Cogswell Memorial Fountain Marker
Through the generosity of Rosetta Pitkat, a life-long resident of Rockville, This statue of Dr. Henry D. Cogswell was commissioned by the Rockville Downtown Association. The Statue, originally cast of zinc alloy in 1883, was replicated by LeFevre Studios in New York City, using existing written and photographic archives. Funds to restore the fountain base were obtained through a State of Connecticut Small Cities Grant.
Erected by Dr. Henry D. Cogswell in honor of William T. Cogswell, his cousin. A staunch supporter of Prohibition, the sculpture of Dr. Cogswell has him holding a Temperance pledge in one hand and a glass of water in the other. On July 4, 1885 the figure was stolen and dumped into Snipsic Lake. It was recovered, only to disappear shortly afterwards. The statue reappeared on July 4, 1908 during the Town Centennial Celebration. It was finally melted for scrap during WWII
The fountain base is one of over a dozen similar Temperance-themed fountains that Cogswell had commissioned in notable cities such as San Francisco, Washington DC and Philadelphia. The Rockville fountain is on the Smithsonian Inventory of American Paintings and Sculpture.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • War, World II • Women.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vernon Korean War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Afghanistan and Iraq Wars Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vernon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Mill (about 600 feet away); Fitch Mill, Belding Silk Mills & Dart's Stone Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fox Hill Tower - War Memorial Tower (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vernon.
Regarding Cogswell Memorial Fountain. Dr. Henry Daniel Cogswell was an American dentist and a crusader in the temperance movement. He believed that if people had access to cool drinking water they wouldn't consume alcoholic beverages. It was his dream to construct one temperance fountain for every 100 saloons across the United States.
Cogswell erected fountains in many cities across the country as well as
Photographed By Michael Herrick, December 21, 2017
2. Cogswell Memorial Fountain Marker
Also see . . . Henry D. Cogswell on Wikipedia. (Submitted on December 24, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Additional keywords. Prohibition
Photographed By Michael Herrick, December 21, 2017
3. Cogswell Memorial Fountain
Vernon
And Village Of
Rockville
In Honor Of
W.T.Cogswell,
A Citizen Of
San Francisco, Cal.
Welcome
Photographed By Michael Herrick, December 21, 2017
4. Cogswell Memorial Fountain
A.D. 1883
Deposited Within
Will
Rejoice Antiquarians.
Man And
The Faithful
Dog Will Find Here
Refreshing Welcome
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 542 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 24, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
