The most photographed image of Savannah is the Forsyth Park Fountain. Walk past it anytime of day and hear the shutter of tourist cameras.
The fountains origin ties to a French designer and was originally shown in a London exhibit in 1851. What few know is that the fountain was ordered for Savannah in the mid 1850's from a NY mail order catalog, Ornamental Iron Works by the James Bebe and Company. The fountain in the catalog had no name, it was simply listed as #5 in the catalog. There are four #5's in the world - one here in Savannah, one in Poughkeepsie, NY, one in Madison, Indiana and one in Cusco, Peru.
The fountain was selected by Savannah socialites who wanted something Parisienne for the center of the park, and was delivered by mail in pieces in crates in 1858. All that had to be done was weld the cast iron together - some assembly is always required!!! Originally it cost $2200, which equates to over six figures today on an inflationary calculator.
Savannah changed the paint color multiple times, including black, orange and green, but in 1935 white became the color that stands today. Every February the fountain in pressure washed, reprimed and painted.
In 1988 a full restoration took place, costing over $200K. All the names in brick around the fountain are those that contributed to the massive project. The City is now preparing the have the same restoration company dismantle it in the months ahead and strip it down to cast iron which will be reworked and rejuvenated...a several months process during which the fountain will be gone from Savannah's Forsyth Park.
If you see the fountain, you see Savannah without context. In the case of the fountain, it becomes even more special (beyond the beauty) as it's historical story brings it to life.