The Rustic Landscape of Rim Village, 1927-1941

Typology

 

Small-scale Features

Drinking Fountains

Treatment of utilitarian site features at Rim Village such as drinking fountains always hinged first on health/safety codes and second on the functional nature of the feature. In terms of detail elements, drinking fountains are a good example of the successful blending between utility and design that typifies the Rustic style. Traditionally comprised of a pipe and bubbler, drinking fountains at Rim Village were physically enveloped in the material vocabulary of the site, either as part of a rock wall or designed to stand alone yet fit visually into the surrounding landscape.

Two drinking fountains were part of the original design of the rock wall. One, by the Crater Wall Trailhead, was built in 1930 in conjunction with construction of the promenade and the parapet wall. The other, built in 1931, was located next to the trailhead to the Sinnott Memorial. This fountain is unique in design and character with images of Wizard Island, Phantom Ship, and the sweep of the caldera walls forming the bowl of the fountain.

Another unique water “fountain” was built across the road at the edge of the campground. Pipes were structurally incorporated into a large boulder (6 feet in height), with three “bubblers” down the face of the rock.

Two other rustic stone drinking fountains are found in Rim Village. One is located near the Kiser Studio, and the other is located near the comfort station on the east end of the cafeteria parking plaza. The construction dates for both are unknown.

Several other drinking fountains are located throughout the former campground. These are more utilitarian in nature (pipe and bubbler on a wood support stem) and do not reflect the predominant design character implemented at the rim during the historic period.

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