Drinking Fountain At Junction Of Allsop Place And Baker Street

ALLSOP PLACE AND BAKER STREET TQ 2782 SE JUNCTION 34/101 Drinking Fountain II Drinking fountain. Late C19, cleaned and restored c1989. Inscribed "Presented by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association". Polished pink granite. Design resembling a baptismal font having circular pedestal with arched niche at base accommodating rectangular dog basin, circular basin with moulded band and centralurn with spouts. The most complete surviving example in Central London of the Association's standard late C19 design. Founded in 1859 the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association (Cattle Trough added 1867) provided free fresh water to many humans and beasts at a time when ale and spirits were easier to obtain than water and most supplies contaminated. The Christian association of water with purity of spirit led evangelical -Victorians to become patrons of the Association which provided a catalogue of functional designs although some wealthy patrons used their own.

Listing NGR: TQ2787382175