Drinking Fountain

Wills Brothers

1859

Framework and bowl granite; back of the niche marble; cups and chain iron.

Set into the wall of the churchyard of St Sepulchre Holborn, at the junction of Holborn Viaduct and Giltspur Street.

The inscription on the interior surface of the fountain reads: “The first metropolitan public drinking fountain erected on Holborn Hill in 1839 and removed when the viaduct was constructed in 1867.” Aound the curve at the top of the fountain appear the words, “The gift of Sam^l Gurney M.P. 1859." The front edge instructs, “Replace the cup.”

Photograph and caption by Robert Freidus

Formatting and perspective correction by George P. Landow

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