What Gets My Goat

Gossips' post about plans for the Public Square, in particular for the fountain and its ornamentation, inspired posts on Facebook and Instagram questioning the appropriateness of goats in the fountain design. 

Image: Dan Seward | Facebook

Image: Hudsonwail | Instagram

Needless to say, the notion of goats raised some questions for Gossips as well and inspired me to take a closer look at this image of the fountain from the Evelyn and Robert Monthie Slide Collection at the Columbia County Historical Society.

Look closely at the ornamental frieze around the basin just below Venus. Although fish heads might have been more in keeping with the aquatic theme of Venus rising from the sea, those are the heads of goats.

The big question is why the city fathers back in 1883 decided to combine goats and Venus in the design of the fountain that would grace the Public Square. Unfortunately, the Hudson Evening Register in its description of the fountain, which appeared on September 11, 1883, is silent on this point.

Now that the beautiful fountain in Public Park is nearly completed and our citizens have enjoyed the sight of "Venus Rising from the Sea," exhibiting in the most effective manner the power of our water supply, and proving that it can be put to ornamental as well as useful purposes, it is proper to speak in detail of this work of art, and award credit to those who were chiefly instrumental in procuring it.

The total height of the fountain, including the foundation, is eighteen feet. The pan is a gurgoyle octagon, eight feet five inches above the base: diameter of pan, eight feet, eleven inches. The ground basin is twenty five feet in diameter. The foundation is of Coral Marble, handsomely cut, from the quarries of Supervisor Fred. W. Jones, and was donated by the energetic and public spirited gentleman.

The foundation is capped by a fine slab of Vermont marble, which was generously donated by Patrick Hoctor, of the Hudson Granite and Marble Works. From this rises the base surrounded by the figures, all in graceful proportion and artistic design. But to be fully appreciated, it must be seen when the water in full force is playing through its numerous jets and rising and falling in fantastic forms.

Mr. D. Martin Haviland is entitled to much credit for his persevering efforts in securing to the city not only this beautiful fountain, but the handsome park in which it is located. One of the most unsightly spots in the city has within a few years been converted into one of the most attractive. In this enterprise Mr. Haviland's efforts have been generously seconded by the Boston & Albany Railroad Company, and the action of our Common Council, by the contributions of citizens, and by the local press.

At the outset we said the fountain was nearly completed. It only lacks the finishing touches of the artist's brush. This, we understand, Mr. Silas W. Tobey, the veteran artist, has volunteered to do, and this assurance is sufficient guarantee that the work will be well done and in keeping with the fountain and its surroundings.

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