A historical market icon is back

An iconic piece of City of Rochester Public Market  history is back after ninety years--and you can have a visible commemorative presence along with it.

When the City of Rochester Public Market opened on its North Union Street site in 1905, it was one of only 125 prominent public places around the country to receive a limited edition, six-ton granite fountain.  Designed primarily to serve horses--the primary transportation mode of that time--these fountains also made fresh water available to people and even dogs.  These fountains were gifted by the National Humane Alliance as a practical expression of its animal welfare mission.

The Public Market's fountain was an important functional feature and also an icon of the early Market,  and can be seen in many early Market photographs. But by 1930, cars and trucks had replaced horses as the primary transportation mode--the fountain was deemed an obsolete obstacle, and was unceremoniously hauled off the Market in the early thirties.  Its whereabouts are still unknown today.

In late 2017, by remarkable strokes of luck, Market staff discovered one of the original 125 fountains sitting on private property not far from Rochester.  The City was able to acquire this fountain, renovate and re-plumb it, and set it on the Market in a custom-designed courtyard between the Market Office house and indoor “B” Shed.

On Saturday, September 28, 2019, Mayor Warren and hundreds gathered to triumphantly unveil the restored fountain. Mounted police horses were on hand as well, to take ceremonial slurps from it! 

This fountain is not only a tremendous historical acquisition--it will make the Market an even better public place and space.  It will be a magnet for gathering--gathering of friends, family, colleagues, and a place where folks will cease to become 'strangers' to one another! 

Support the Fountain Project and Market with a Custom-Engraved Brick

You can support the fountain project by ordering a custom-engraved commemorative brick that will be part of a decorative patio that will accompany the fountain. These are large, original Market bricks that were salvaged and stored during the Market renovation/expansion project of 2016-2017. Less than 300 bricks are still available for the patio, available first come-first served!  With a brick purchase, you/your family/your business will not only have a very visible, long-term presence in what is sure to become a very prominent place in an already prominent community place--you will also be supporting this wonderful historical and community project, and other Friends of the Rochester Public Market programs and initiatives.  What's more, your brick order will help the Market achieve a $7,500 "challenge grant" from Rochester Area Community Foundation!