St. Augustine, FL

We did not have much information about the fountain in St. Augustine, Florida. However, we did know that at least part of it survived and can be found in St. Francis Park across the street from The Llambias House, a National Historic Landmark.

And now we think we know where it came from.Wewere uncertain of the original location of the fountain, but we did  know that Altrusa Club of St. Augustine took on St. Francis Park as its Bicentennial Project back in 1976. The Altrusans also served as custodians of the Llambias House. The property had been purchased by the St. Augustine Historical Society with the understanding that the would beautify it as a park.

One of the focal points of the park is the National Humane Allliance fountain. In the attached news articles researched by Brittany Luna, you will see a reference that says that, "The fountain is an old horse trough donated to the project." There is no reference to the history of the fountain or that who donated it! However, Charles Tingley, Senior Research Librarian at the Historical Society did tell Brittany that the fountain was not in St. Augustine prior to the 1970s and may have come from a salvage yard.

So, the origin of the St. Augustine fountain remained a mystery until now. It turns out the fountain was originally located in Jacksonville which had its own Altrusa Club and they were the ones who originally managed the fountain. The club in St. Augustine was organized on April 11, 1959 as an extension of the club in Jacksonville. That club is no longer in existence, but it appears that they donated the fountain to the St. Augustine Club and had it placed in St. Francis Park in time for the dedication of the park in 1976 as part of the nation's Bicentennial.

For more on the National Humane Alliance Fountains click here.