Roosevelt Fountain

Gazing upon the Roosevelt Fountain, have you ever imagined its journey from a simple idea to this magnificent centerpiece of Brookfield Zoo? This isn’t just any fountain. It’s a tribute, a memorial to President Theodore Roosevelt, a man who championed wilderness conservation. The Roosevelt Fountain’s story began in 1924, fueled by the nascent Brookfield Zoo and its financial struggles. A group of dedicated citizens formed the Roosevelt Memorial Association of Chicago, aiming to create a lasting monument. They raised nearly $30,000, entrusting it to the Art Institute’s Ferguson Fund trustees. These trustees, however, took their time. For almost 30 years, the funds grew, the idea simmered. Finally, in 1953, the accumulated $53,000 was transferred to the Chicago Zoological Society. The Roosevelt Fountain project was finally a go. Sculptor Sylvia Shaw Judson generously donated her talents, designing the fountain we see today. A test run in April 1953, with the Brookfield Fire Department’s help, saw water jetting up to 75 feet in the air, giving a preview of the spectacle to come. The Roosevelt Fountain was officially dedicated on May 14, 1954. The ceremony, attended by 700 people including Chicago’s mayor, marked the culmination of three decades of planning. The central jet shot water 70 feet high, flanked by others reaching 45 and 28 feet, a mesmerizing display powered by 5,600 gallons of water per minute. Around the pool, four bronze animal heads, also crafted by Judson, symbolize Roosevelt’s legacy as a statesman, naturalist, hunter, and soldier. The Roosevelt Fountain isn’t just a beautiful display. It’s a living testament to a president’s passion for nature and a community’s dedication to honoring his memory. It’s a place where the spray of water on a summer day can evoke the spirit of the wild, a connection to Roosevelt’s enduring vision.