Vigo County Historical Society

Fountain played role in look of Rose Orphan Home

Many will recall the beautiful fountain that stood in front of Rose Orphan Home for many years. The statue that decorated the top portion of the fountain is now on display in the Vigo County Historical Museum and we invite you to stop by to enjoy this delightful piece of local history.

The fountain was dedicated on Nov. 21, 1904, as a memorial to Lyman P. Alden (1881-1904). Alden was the first superintendent of the Chauncey Rose Orphan Home. He served in that capacity for 20 years.

The fountain was approved and erected by the original board of managers.

Often referred to as "the Scudder Fountain" various stores exist about its lineage. Some reports refer to the fountain as being the work of Janet Scudder, world famous sculptress, while others indicate that the fountain was not her work but was given to the orphanage by her.

Regardless of these conflicting stories, we can document it as the Rose Orphanage Fountain, which is of historical significance.

The fountain was 12 feet tall and originally was configured of three basins supported by figures of storks and surmounted by "Boys at Play." The water flowed from the "Boys at Play," cascading into three basins.

It was made of bronzed iron and was identified as coming from the J.L. Mott Co. of New York.

Pictures document the fountain remained as described from 1904 through 1931. However, by the early 1960s only the "Boys at Play" are pictured in front of the building, which had become The Chauncey Rose Home, operated by the Episcopal Homes for the Ages. There are no records as to what became of the rest of the fountain.

In 1965, the statue of "the boys" was given to the Vigo County Historical Society by Sandor Construction Co. of Indianapolis as the orphanage buildings were being razed to make room for a Kmart and parking lot.

The statue was stored at Hulman and Co. until 1986. It was put on loan to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1987 when it remained on display in front of the Logan Library until 1999, when the statue was restored and placed in the historical museum.

Fully restored and protected from the elements, this beautiful statue now resides on the second floor of the museum.

It is a graceful reminder of the outstanding buildings and grounds that once graced 25th Street and Wabash Avenue as the Rose Orphan Home.