The Genius of Water

I have lived in Cincinnati all my life and I am ashamed to admit that I just learned the actual name of the fountain on Fountain Square. It is called the Genius of Water. Unfortunately, I suppose everyone, at times, takes for granted the jewels of their hometown. You see something often enough it becomes invisible.

But a couple weeks ago we had the pleasure of dining at the Via Vite Italian Bistro on Fountain Square and the chance to revisit one of Cincinnati's most famous landmarks. It was warm enough to be outside without a jacket so we walked around the square before dinner. The fountain was splendidly awash in changing colored lights. My heart welled with Queen City pride.

The fountain today awash in color.

The fountain has been moved and turned around several times since its original installation, but the fountain itself has never changed except for maintenance and lighting. The most fascinating part of the history of the fountain is its rich symbolism which depicts the uses and benefits of water. Quite befitting for a river town.

The fountain contains 13 allegorical figures and rises 43 feet tall:

1- The central figure at the top, the Genius of Water stands 9 feet tall.

There are four groups of figures surrounding the pedestal beneath the Genius of Water:

1. A workman stands on a burning roof and prays for rain.
2. A farmer in a drought ruined field prays for rain. (the lady's outstretched palms provide water's relief and answered prayer to the workman and farmer.
3. A young girl offers water to a man with crutches.
4. A mother leads her reluctant son to the bath.

The pedestal base has four bas-reliefs - four representations in basso-relievo of four principal uses of water:

1. Steam
2. Water-power
3. Navigation
4. The fisheries

Situated around the bottom perimeter of the fountain are four drinking fountains of young boys interacting with water animals: 

1. A boy riding a dolphin
2. A boy playing with ducks
3. A boy wrestling with a snake
4. A boy riding a turtle

The fountain was a gift to the city from Henry Probasco. Those who know the Clifton area will recognize Probasco as a street name. In fact, Henry Probasco did live in Clifton in a mansion he had built and named Oakwood.

Probasco came to Cincinnati from the east in 1835 at the age of 15. He went to work as a clerk for Tyler Davidson & Co. Importers and Jobbers of Hardware, Cutlery and Metals located on Main Street downtown. By the time he was 20 he was made partner in the company and married Tyler Davidson's half-sister, Julia Carrington.

The original location of the fountain

Thirty years later Probasco's partner, friend and brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson, died. Probasco sold his share of the hardware business a year later and he and his wife, Julia, traveled abroad.

Davidson and Probasco had often talked of contributing a monument to the city of Cincinnati. While in Germany Probasco commissioned a fountain to be built then donated to the city of Cincinnati and dedicated in Davidson's honor.

Caroline Williams rendition Fifth Third Center

The fountain was designed by sculptor August von Kreling and was built by Ferdinand von Miller of the Royal Bronze Foundry of Bavaria in Munich, Germany. Von Miller and his sons spent three years casting the bronze fountain in sections from salvaged Danish cannons. The esplanade where the fountain was originally installed was designed by local architect William Tinsley who also designed the Probasco's Cincinnati mansion, Oakwood. The fountain was called "Genius of Water" and was dedicated to the city of Cincinnati on October 6, 1871.

LST Memorial 325 Passing by My Front Door

The Ohio River is a busy water highway. Barges transport goods and equipment up and down the river. Pleasure boats and yachts come out to play on the weekends. Serious anglers launch their fishing boats before dawn. Party barges and paddle-wheelers cruise along at a leisurely pace allowing their passengers to enjoy the beautiful scenery while dining.

But once in a while something unusual passes by. That was the case with the LST Memorial 325 when it passed by my house on Aug. 29, 2015 heading up river to Pittsburgh. It caused quite a stir with some who had not been forewarned about its journey passing through Cincinnati. Comments and pictures exploded on Facebook. Alarm: "Are we under military attack?!", shock and awe.

LST 325 passing by my front door

LST stands for Landing Ship, Tank. It was used to land tanks, soldiers and supplies on enemy shores during WWII. This particular LST was known as LST-325 during WWII, USNS LST-325 during its arctic operations in the 1950's, and later L-144 (A/G Syros) while it was in the service of the Greek Navy.

Heading up to Pittsburgh.

It is now the last fully operational WWII LST and has been employed as a floating museum complete with gift shop and tours. Its homeport is Evansville, Indiana but at this writing LST 325 is winding up its Pittsburgh tours and will be heading back here to Cincinnati to conduct tours September 12th to 16th on the riverfront adjacent to the Great American Ballpark. Tours are roughly 60 minutes long and include the Main Deck, Troop Berthing, Tank Deck, Mess Deck, Galley, Stern of ship (Guns and Anchor), Wheel House, Officer's Country and the Captain's Cabin. There are three sets of stairs down and three sets of stairs up. Questions and photographs are welcome.

Living On the Ohio River

This past week has been nerve wracking. Our home sits right on the banks of the Ohio River. It is a breathtakingly beautiful place to live. And it is also pretty scary in the spring. We moved here in 1999, two years after the last major flood in southwest Ohio. During the time we've lived here our road access has been cut off a couple of times due to high water, but our house has never been flooded. And once again, this week we were spared.

Flood of 1898

Our house was built in 1890 so it has seen it's share of flooding. I applaud the Corps of Engineers and the gatekeepers at Meldahl and Markland Dams. They have done a remarkable job managing the river levels. Although the river came up over the flood wall in front of our house it is now receding.

The river lapping at the top of the flood wall.

Why do I live here knowing the potential of the river flooding? I guess every dance with nature has its pitfalls. I've lived in the city. I've lived in the suburbs. But there is nothing that compares with living near the water. Sunsets are spectacular. Water birds are fascinating. The sound of gentle waves whoosh-whooshing below my open window in the summer is as soothing as a calming lullaby.

The Ohio River is in my blood. I was two weeks old, according to my mother, the first time I was on a boat. And that was on the Ohio River. Most every summer weekend as a child, and subsequently as a teenager, was spent on a boat on the Ohio River. To live in a house on the banks of the river is a dream come true.

River sunset

So I pay my flood insurance, make sure my valuables are stored on the second floor and say a prayer every spring that Mother Nature be kind so I can look forward to another summer of magical sunsets on the beautiful Ohio River.