Fabulous Fountains of New York
This book can be opened with
A stunning exploration of New York’s most enchanting fountains
New York City’s fountains are more than just decorative features—they are historical landmarks, cultural icons, and dynamic works of art that shape the city’s landscape. In Fabulous Fountains of New York, award-winning author and native New Yorker Stephanie Azzarone takes readers on a captivating journey through the artistry, history, and hidden stories behind these remarkable waterworks.
From the grandeur of Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain to the sleek modern cascades of the Unisphere in Queens, this beautifully illustrated book showcases more than fifty fountains across all five boroughs. Alongside these celebrated landmarks, Azzarone uncovers lesser-known gems, such as Triumph of the Human Spirit and the long-forgotten temperance fountains, revealing how they reflect the city’s evolving cultural and political landscape.
With vivid storytelling, she traces the work of the architects and artists who shaped these fountains, exploring the historical events they commemorate and the scandals, controversies, and tragedies that surround them. Whether serving as refreshing retreats on hot summer days, symbols of civic pride, or gathering places for contemplation and protest, New York’s fountains have played a vital role in the city’s life.
Accompanied by breathtaking photography by Robert F. Rodriguez, Fabulous Fountains of New York captures the beauty and movement of these dynamic waterworks—from classical bronze and stone sculptures to contemporary interactive installations. Perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and urban explorers, this book invites readers to rediscover New York through its most mesmerizing fountains.
Fabulous Fountains of New York is an instant classic. As a fabulous, complete compendium of the fascinating individual histories of each of these unique urban aquatic monuments, it is a valuable source for historians, academics, civic designers, curious NYers, NYC aspirers and water fetishists. I was delighted to learn about the fabulous fountain (and its antecedents) in my own park!—Skip Blumberg, Friends of City Hall Park, documentary filmmaker, and 3rd generation NYer
With meticulous research and engaging text, author Stephanie Azzarone has presented her readers with a comprehensive and very readable view of one of New York City’s treasures, its fountains. The accompanying photographs entice us to look further. Anyone who has encountered a flowing fountain in New York City will understand Azzarone’s fascination. This book is a lovely gift to New Yorkers and to the history of New York City.—Joan Adler, Executive Director, Straus Historical Society
In Fabulous Fountains of New York, Stephanie Azzarone opens a floodgate of long-obscured history of the scores of fountains that bring soothing sounds and beauty to an often harsh urban landscape. Many of these fountains are grand works of architecture and hydraulics gracing city parks and corporate plazas, but others have lovely, intimate stories or carry poignant memories. All make a more gracious New York City, as thoroughly documented by Azzarone and beautifully photographed by Robert Rodriguez.—Adrian Benepe, President, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Fabulous Fountains of New York restores to public knowledge a fascinating selection of urban amenities—some famous, some all but forgotten—from all around New York City.—Robert W. Snyder, Manhattan Borough Historian
A joyful and informative tribute to the city’s waterworks . . . an enamoring and enthusiastic ode to one small slice of the Big Apple.—Publishers Weekly
Stephanie Azzarone is the author of the award-winning Heaven on the Hudson: Mansions, Monuments, and Marvels of Riverside Park (Fordham). A former journalist (freelancer for The New York Times and New York magazine, among others), she also headed a Manhattan public relations agency.
Robert F. Rodriguez (Photographs By)
Formerly a photo editor for The Daily Mail and Gannet Newspapers, Robert F. Rodriguez has more than forty years of experience photographing New York City and its environs and editing the photos of others.
Introduction | xiii
MANHATTAN
DOWNTOWN (SOUTH OF 34TH STREET)
Bosque | 5
New York City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza | 7
Wireless Operators Memorial | 10
Bowling Green | 12
Sunken Garden | 15
World Trade Center 9/11 Reflecting Absence Memorial Pools | 17
Silverstein Plaza | 21
City Hall Park / Jacob Wrey Mould | 22
Triumph of the Human Spirit | 26
Lily Pond | 28
Temperance | 29
Slocum Disaster Memorial | 31
Washington Square Park | 34
Jackson Square | 37
James / Union Square | 39
Madison Square | 41
MIDTOWN (34TH STREET TO 59TH STREET)
Bella Abzug Park | 45
Truth and Beauty | 47
Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial | 51
Midtown Waterfalls | 54
McGraw Hill | 54
Greenacre Park | 54
Paley Park | 56
Avenue of the Americas | 57
Lilholts Pooley Pool / Christmas Balls | 57
Fountain Wall | 58
1271 Avenue of the Americas | 58
1301 Avenue of the Americas | 59
1345 Avenue of the Americas | 59
Four Seasons | 60
Channel Gardens | 62
Prometheus | 64
Seagram Building | 67
Pulitzer | 69
Columbus Circle | 72
USS Maine National Monument | 75
59th Street Horse Troughs | 78
Frederic J. De Peyster | 78
Mrs. Henry C. Russell | 78
Edith Bowdoin | 79
Evangeline Blashfield | 79
UPTOWN (NORTH OF 59TH STREET)
Revson | 83
Bethesda / Angel of the Waters | 86
Cherry Hill | 90
Robert Ray Hamilton | 92
Rotunda | 95
Metropolitan Museum of Art | 97
Firemen’s Memorial | 99
Conservatory Center Garden | 101
Burnett | 103
Untermyer / Three Dancing Maidens | 105
Straus Memorial / Memory | 107
Frederick Douglass Memorial | 110
Peace | 113
Woman’s Health Protective Association | 115
Hooper | 117
THE BRONX
Macombs Dam Park | 121
Heinrich Heine / Lorelei | 123
Rockefeller/Italian | 125
Lillian Goldman Fountain of Life | 128
Metropolitan Oval / Fantasia | 131
BROOKLYN
Columbus Park | 137
Bailey | 140
Brooklyn Botanic Garden | 143
Osborne Garden | 143
Lily Pool Terrace | 143
Jenkins | 143
Lion’s Head | 144
Rose Arc Pool | 144
Jane and David Walentas | 145
Civic Virtue Triumphant over Unrighteousness | 147
Domino Park | 150
QUEENS
Unisphere | 155
Fountain of the Fairs Mist Garden | 158
STATEN ISLAND
Fountain of the Dolphins | 163
Neptune | 165
Notes | 167
Acknowledgments | 171
Index | 173
