On a muggy humid day in August 115 years ago, America's most popular celebrity came to our town. He had just left Osawatomie, KS where he had delivered a 90-minute stem-winder speech. An estimated 30,000 people showed up to listen in Osawatomie. The occasion was the dedication of their John Brown Memorial Park. The morning rain came to an end as he was about to speak. The sun came out on cue. He stood on top of a table and belted out his now famous speech, which became known as the "New Nationalism" speech. The speech railed against how our government was too closely aligned with the special interests of those with great wealth and did little for the average American. He argued for a Square Deal for all. Of course, the celebrity was Teddy Roosevelt, the now former President. He left for Lawrence to spend that night at Governor Stubbs' mansion (currently the Sigma Nu fraternity house) in Lawrence. While in town, he was wrangled into dedicating a water fountain.
Hermon Lee Ensign, a philanthropist and animal welfare advocate, established the National Humane Alliance in 1897 to provide public drinking fountains for horses, dogs and cats. The granite fountains were made available for free to whatever cities were willing to hook them up to water and maintain them. Hundreds of fountains were given away. TR had nothing to do with our "Roosevelt Fountain" except he was asked to dedicate it, which he did with a short uneventful speech. The fountain was installed in the middle of the intersection of New Hampshire and Warren (now 9th Street). The fountain was used and appreciated but soon became obsolete as cars replaced horses. Drivers kept bumping into the fountain causing dented fenders and complaints. In 1929, it was decided to move the fountain to Robinson Park in conjunction with the sacred red boulder monument which we mentioned in last week's post. There the fountain spewed water, largely ignored, until 1965 when the Lawrence Flower Club requested that it be moved to South Park adjacent to our band gazebo. A rose garden was to be planted around the fountain. It is a lovely spot, enjoyed by locals with all the events which take place in South Park. The Roosevelt Fountain was restored by the Flower Club in 1982. When Teddy dedicated the fountain an estimated crowd of 6,000 people attended. An amazing turnout when you consider Lawrence's population was 12,374 in 1910.
Take a walk with Birkenstock.
