Few landmarks in Georgia are more iconic than the Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah. It's a must-see when visiting the Hostess City, and it's one of the most photographed sites in the Peach State. It's a common spot for prom photos, proposals, and even weddings. Forsyth Park is incredibly beautiful and very historic in its own right, it's filled with interesting attractions like a Civil War memorial and a garden for the blind. Even with its myriad of attractions, the fountain is probably the most famous location in the park. However, even many locals don't know the history of this magnificent fountain. It has quite the history!
This famous fountain may be the figurative centerpiece of the park, but it's actually located near Forsyth's northern edge. The path to reach the park is lined with the city's famous live oaks, draped in Spanish moss.
The fountain was installed in 1858, nearly two decades after the land was designated as a park. Urban legend claims it was designed as an exact replica of a fountain in Paris, but this is actually false.
Instead, the fountain was ordered from a Janes and Kirtland Co. catalog. It was listed in the book as Model No. 5.
It was manufactured by a New York iron foundry that also worked on the U.S. Capitol's dome and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Several other examples of the same fountain survive and can be found today in Poughkeepsie, New York, Madison, Indiana, and Cusco, Peru.
Pictured above is the Peruvian statue, which is located in the famous Plaza de Armas de Cuzco.
Nobody does St. Patrick's Day like Savannah, and one of the city's best-known traditions is celebrated each March when the fountain is dyed green.
The fountain is quite the celebrity, and has appeared in many films throughout the years. Some of the most famous include Forrest Gump, The Longest Yard, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Did you know the origins of the famous Forsyth Park fountain in Georgia? What other tidbits about Peach State landmarks do you know? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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