Women's Christian Temperance Union Fountain - 1901 - Holyoke, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 12.416 W 072° 36.451
18T E 697502 N 4675523
A dated Womens's Christian Temperance Union fountain is located near the City Hall on the corner of Dwight and High Streets in Holyoke, MA.
Waymark Code: WMMMAK
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 10/08/2014
Views: 6
Late in the 19th and early in the 20th centuries the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) encouraged their chapters to place drinking fountains in public places to encourage men to drink water and avoid alcohol. A number of these drinking fountains are still in place today. This fountain is constructed of granite blocks and is placed front of the City Hall in Holyoke.
Inscribed on the front is the date 1901 at the bottom and at the top the dedication:
Dedicated by the Women's
Christian Temperance Union
To Thirsty Humanity
On the right side, back, and left side there are quotes from Shakespeare and the Bible.
The quote from Shakespeare is found on the right side is from Othello, Act 2 - Scene 3. It is spoken by Cassio during a dialog with Iago.
O thou invisible spirit of wine, if
thou hast no name to be known
by, let us call thee devil.
On the back is inscribed a quote from The Bible; Isaiah 43:20
I give waters in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert. To
give drink to my people.
On the left side is inscribed another quote from the Bible; Proverbs 25:28
He whose spirit is without restraint
is like a city that is broken
down and hath no walls.