  Pussygirl313 Member Username: Pussygirl313 Post Number: 50 Registered: 08-2006 |
What is the history on this Fountain. Someone told me it was in front of one of the old Opera Houses. Just wondering. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 790 Registered: 01-2006 |
It is the Merrill Fountain. WSU's Virtual Motor City has some really beautiful photos of it. | ||
Pussygirl313 Member Username: Pussygirl313 Post Number: 53 Registered: 08-2006 |
Thank you Detroitstar you are so smart. It should be move to in front of the OPera House. on Madison....or somewhere... The Merrill Fountain....how pretty | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 995 Registered: 11-2005 |
Yep, it used to be in Campus Martius. I have some postcards of it there: http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Detro it%20postcards/Monuments%20and %20Fountains/palmer2.jpg http://i152.photobucket.com/al bums/s164/rhymeswithrawk/Detro it%20postcards/Monuments%20and %20Fountains/palmer.jpg Lizzie Merrill Palmer dedicated it in 1901 to her father, lumberman Charles Merrill. Lizzie was married to a prominent senator, Thomas Palmer, and they donated land which became Palmer Park. In the 1920s, with the rise of the automobile, it was moved there to lighten traffic congestion downtown. The fountain has sat empty for decades. I've seen pictures of it in the late 1960s sitting dry. Granted, those could have been photos taken during the winter when it was drained. I'm sure some of the others on DY could tell you when they stopped filling it. That leads to a question: If a fountain never has water, is it still a fountain? Hmm... | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5603 Registered: 08-2004 |
I agree Pussygirl313... it should be moved back downtown. Originally constructed in 1901, it was located in Campus Martius where the entrance to the Compuware HQ is located today. It was moved to Palmer Park in 1926 where it has been a neglected piece of ornament that has not worked as a fountain in a long time. I don't even know if it ever functioned as a fountain in Palmer Park. My personal preference is that it be moved back downtown to an appropriate site, such as to the middle of Capitol Park and turned back into a working fountain. It would make a great centerpiece to a revitalized Capitol Park area. After all great cities of the world have great public fountains! (Message edited by Gistok on October 31, 2007) | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 791 Registered: 01-2006 |
what can I say...it's a gift : ) As for it's future...Lafayette Park could use a fountain. I know Im a little biased because I live here, but this neighborhood is loaded with great people who take pride in the parks. I would like to see something like this to encourage people to spend more time in the park, and not just pass through. (Message edited by detroitstar on October 31, 2007) | ||
Thecarl Member Username: Thecarl Post Number: 1106 Registered: 04-2005 |
wow, waiting for cockboy517 to comment... | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5605 Registered: 08-2004 |
^^^ Hahaha... Detroitstar, Lafayette Park could use a more modern looking fountain than the Merrill... somehow Italian Renaissance would look a little out of place in "Miesian" Lafayette Park...  But I agree Lafayette Park would be a nice place for a fountain. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1867 Registered: 12-2005 |
Perhaps a fountain like this  would fit better in lafayette park? | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 282 Registered: 08-2007 |
Last time I was there in late June the merrill fountain was a weed choked mess. It looked like someone had tried to take care of it as there were some flowers growing, but most of the plantings had been stomped and whoever was taking core of the fountain just gave up. http://flickr.com/search/?s=in t&w=all&q=merrill+fountain+pal mer+park&m=text | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5611 Registered: 08-2004 |
That is sad Gnome... Lizzie Merrill Palmer would be turning in her grave if she saw that scene... It's time to bring it back downtown where it can be restored and looked after. | ||
Downtown_dave Member Username: Downtown_dave Post Number: 213 Registered: 07-2005 |
56packman - Ha! Will we all need earplugs if THAT comes downtown? | ||
Renfirst Member Username: Renfirst Post Number: 86 Registered: 12-2006 |
What would be the appropriate steps to get something done? It's a shame to see it in such a condition. Does Palmer Park have a community organization? I'm meeting with a client that's looking at some real estate in Palmer Park... will try to take some pictures this afternoon to see that it's looking like... |
