The American Fountain by Watsoncomper
This unique ornamental drinking fountain and clock tower stands in the market area on Rother Street and is a vocal point for the weekly markets which are held around it.This ornate structure was commission by George W. Childs a newspaper editor from Philadelphia. Jethro Cossins designed it in 1887 as a tribute to Shakespeare. Above each of the clock faces is a fairy from Midsummer Nights dream but as the stature was unveiled during Queen Victoria?s jubilee statues of the English lion and the American Eagle share the facades.
The clock tower is known locally as The American fountain and it did originally have a fountain along side horse troughs which to-day are filled with flowers