Fountain

Prater fountain - SW16

Erection date: 1882

Inscription

{On the outer edge:}
The gift of H. Prater Esqre. MD, 1882

The listing entry says that this is a rare example of a circular drinking trough of granite construction but does not comment on its state of completeness. We suspect that this is is merely the basin which would have been mounted on a pedestal and would have had a central urn above holding a tap supplying the water. This type of fountain was relatively common, for example: Emily Orbell's fountain. Thus it was not a trough for animals but provided water to slake human thirst.

Troughs for animals were often erected at the same time and close to a water fountain for people. Perhaps this is what has caused the confusion here.

Site: Prater fountain - SW16 (1 memorial)

SW16, Harefield Road, Norbury Park

Prompted by the Finsbury Prater water trough our colleague Andrew Behan researched the man and went and found this other fountain.  He reports that the wording on the basin is now worn away through time and only '…FT OF…' can be deciphered.  But the Historic England listing entry gives all the information needed, in particular: 

“The trough originated at the cattle market which was located to the south of Croydon town centre. The market opened in 1848 and was attended by the farmers of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and by the butchers of South London. The market closed in 1935 and was demolished and redeveloped shortly after. The trough was moved to Norbury Park, created in 1935…..this is an unusual and handsome example of a circular trough.”

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Prater fountain - SW16

Subjects commemorated i

Horatio Prater

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has found someone who is probably our man, Andre...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Philip Twells horse trough

Philip Twells horse trough

EC1, West Smithfield

{On the side facing the garden:} In memory of Philip Twells, M. P., for the City of London, May 8 1881. {On the side facing the road:} M...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Norwood fountain - Junius

Norwood fountain - Junius

SW16, Norwood Grove, garden

Most of this decorative rim has been lost. Only this 'Junius' section and, to the left of our photo, a much weathered section on which 'M...

1 creator
Drinking fountains - Trafalgar Square

Drinking fountains - Trafalgar Square

WC2, Trafalgar Square

It was this Londonist post where we learnt that the two identical drinking fountains on the east and west sides of Trafalgar Square are a...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Charles Walker & the Duchess

Charles Walker & the Duchess

WC1, Wilmington Square Garden

Lilleshall Hall is now the Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre. Their website shows the impressive building and says "Ori...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Prater water trough

Prater water trough

EC1, St John Street

This water trough was not here Spring-Summer 2011 but in January 2012 SilverTiger featured it on his blog. Had it been moved here from it...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator

Previously viewed

Arthur Lowe

Arthur Lowe

Actor.  Born Derbyshire.  Played Captain Mainwaring in 'Dad's Army', 1968 - 1977. Collapsed in his Birmingham dressing room and died in a nearby hospital.  In 2007 a statue was erected in Thetford,...

Person, Humour, TV & Radio

2 memorials
St Olaf

St Olaf

SW1, Cockspur Street

Created in 1914 by Metcalfe and Greig for no particular tenant this building was converted into the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in 1920...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Alec Clifton-Taylor

Alec Clifton-Taylor

Architectural historian, author & broadcaster.  He lived in Kensington most of his life and was President of the Kensington Society from 1978 until his death.

Person, Architecture, Community / Clubs, TV & Radio

1 memorial
PC Gary Toms

PC Gary Toms

E15, Ashlin Road

Here fell PC Gary Toms, 11 April 2009.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
James Brooks

James Brooks

N16, Clissold Crescent, 42

Clissold Crescent was part of the Willow Estate, whose history is well-covered at Local Local History, but Brooks is not mentioned there....

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator