Rosenberg Fountains - February 26th, 2015
Henry Rosenberg was an immigrant from Switzerland who settled in Galveston in 1843. He became a successful businessman first in a dry-goods store. He then became involved in other business interests including banking, real estate and transportation. He became a philanthropist later in life giving to many projects in Galveston. The full extent of his philanthropy was not known until after his death. His will provided bequests to family and friends, followed by bequests to various charitable and religious causes. Allotted in his will were $30,000 each to the Galveston Orphans' Home, Grace Episcopal Church, Letitia Rosenberg Women's Home and a fund to put seventeen drinking fountains "for man and beast" around Galveston. Rosenberg's will also provided $65,000 for the construction of a building for the Galveston Young Men's Christian Association and $50,000 for erection of a heroes' monument commemorating the Texas Revolution. All of these projects were completed between 1895 and 1900. The rest of Rosenberg's estate, more than $600,000, provided for a free public library for the people of Galveston, the first free public library in the state.
Mr. Benefactor himself, in front of his library
The first library in the state of Texas
Drop by 23rd Street and Sealy for a visit
Directly across the street is First Baptish Church (of Texas?)
Celebrating 175 years last month
The 4th Building was built to last
The tree has been around awhile and would like less sidewalk
Beyond Henry's left shoulder is one of his eight remaining fountains
The 1st of 8 remaining drinking fountains of 17 built
Henry wanted water for the thirsty puppies and kitties!
The largest and most expensive fountain was restored in 1995
Originally stood in the 25th St Esplanade on the Strand's south side
Then moved to 59th & Broadway esplanade until Broadway widened in 1951
Though similar, not an inspiration for the 4th First Baptist Church
Horse trough but no puppy/kitty troughs on the backside
It's a shame the brass was removed for WWII munitions
A Gift from Henry in 1898
View in the direction our next fountain will be found
Head to 21st and Post Office to find our second of 8 fountains
The longest of the fountains stretches 16ft & equipped with running water!
Originally in the middle of 20th St and the south side of The Strand
A curving horse basin in front and people basin on the back
Puppies & Kitties leaving the Grand Opera House can get a drink on the ends
Restored in MCMXCV but actually built in 1898
Head toward Broadway on 21st (Moody) to the 1966 Courthouse to Ball St.
Find our triangular third fountain in the corner of Central Park
All fountains are a gift from Henry & some have dophins on top
The fountain was moved from the park center in 1909
Built in 1898 as all Henry fountains were
No water or brass ornamentation since WWII
Head east on Ball to the Pavilion fountain on 15th Street to a small park
This fountain originally stood in Morris Lasker Park (40th & Ball)
A nice bit of flair for the East End Historic District
The elaborately covered platform sports Henry's last initial
The park inspires visitors to write and send letters!
It takes up the corner lot and provides a miniature park for the area
No water or brass fittings for quite awhile
A Gift from Henry H in 1898 - Enjoy!
Continue down Ball St. to Adoue Park beside an Elementary School
Another gift from Henry in the same park as storm tree carvings
Built in 1898, six columns hold a dome above a drinking basin
For humans only, no separate basins for animals
Originally at 10th & Ball, moved here to the old Rosenberg School site
Moved to the old site when the new Rosenberg School was built
The 6th fountain is at 31st and Seawall, in front of the Ocean Inn Motel
Another gift from Henry provided in 1898
Originally in front of the Beach Hotel on 21st & moved several times
Horse basin up front with puppy/kitty basins on the sides
Puppies/kitties probably didn't care for the sandy water
People basin on the back once had a fish-shaped faucet
Sorry pigeon, you are a 100 years too late for a cool drink
A year later, discover the fountain has been moved from the Seawall
Now where did Galveston move it to?
Aha! It has been moved to 21st and The Strand in August 2016
A working Rosenberg fountain with running water and brass fittings!
Horse trough and puppy/kitty pools have fresh running water
People water fountain runs in the back
This fountain looks very familiar with The Strand in the background
This is not the fountain last seen at the Historical Foundation
There are now two running water fountains in the area
118 years later, Mr. Rosenberg would still be pleased
Look for the seventh fountain at 427 Market St., recently restored in 2013
It only exists on Google Earth as this lot is now cleared for new construction
Find the displaced seventh fountain that was at 427 Market St.
Reconstructed in 2007 but the lot it was on has been reclaimed
The fountain rests outside the Historical Foundation on 22nd Street
It is ready for a truck to drive under it and take it home
Please hurry, somewhere, there are thirsty puppies and kitties!
Three years later, discover the fountain on The Strand @ 16th St
Last seen behind the Galveston Historical Foundation in 2015
The Rosenberg Fountain replica was once located at 427 Market Street
But was removed to facilitate new building construction
Happy to finally locate it, though the water does not run or circulate
It is now a likely monument to Yellow Fever
The 8th and final fountain resides in a locked community garden
The garden is between two house properties at 20th & N 1/2
Will inquire on membership to get a better view of the fountain
1898 in roman numerals provide the proof of Henry's gift
Drive back by in 2018 and find a new sign displayed
Will come back on July 21, 2018 to finally gain access to the fountain
Come back to the Garden on the 3rd Saturday of the month
And find myself looking at the last Rosenberg fountain
Only the two triagular troughs are original Rosensbergs
The rest was refabricated to make the fountain complete
The steps, the rounded walls, the center obelisk, all refabricated
On The Stand years ago, it was dug up & left at the Train Museum
Acquired by the Garden in 2000, the water will finally run this year!
Drive by the 1902 Galveston Orphan's Home on Moody and AVe. M
The 1902 replaced the 1895 Home provided by Henry & lost in the Big storm
Mr. Dealey first arranged for Galveston orphans housing in 1878
The Galveston Orphans Home moved to a new structure in 1984
The building was purchased in 2013 and will become a museum in 2015