Water Fountain in Wellesley

Though I have walked the parks and paths of Wellesley, Massachusetts for years, I had not paused at this water fountain before. Growing up, I often drank from fountains because they were everywhere.

The label on the base read: Murdock Manufacturing, Cincinnati, OH, a company founded in 1853. I learned that Murdock became one of the nation’s leading makers of frost-proof outdoor fountains, a crucial innovation for northern towns like ours, where cold winters froze everything solid.

This particular fountain features a foot-pedal design, a bit of 19th century technology that allowed hands-free, hygienic access to drinking water. This foot-pedal was more than a convenience, it was a turning point in public health. During this time, towns were beginning to recognize the importance of clean water for reducing disease and encouraging temperance.

This fountain is a small monument to community well-being in an effort to better serve everyday health.