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Swann Memorial Fountain

Swann Memorial Fountain, also known as the Fountain of the Three Rivers, is a monumental Art Deco fountain located in the center of Logan Circle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its sculptural group was designed by Alexander Stirling Calder, while the structure and water features were designed by architect Wilson Eyre. The fountain commemorates Dr. Wilson Cary Swann, founder of the Philadelphia Fountain Society. Calder created Native American figures symbolizing the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Wissahickon rivers, along with frogs and turtles that send water toward the central geyser. The fountain also became a beloved summer swimming spot and stands at the midpoint of Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Swann Memorial Fountain with a winged reclining bronze figure spraying water from the multi-tiered basin.
Swann Memorial Fountain’s winged bronze figure rises above the fountain as water sprays around the basin.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Swann Memorial Fountain in a city plaza, surrounded by paved walkways, trees, and classical stone buildings.
Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle, Philadelphia, with pedestrians and surrounding city architecture.
April 2006 © · CC BY 2.5
Swann Memorial Fountain spraying high jets in a plaza with skyscrapers and landscaped flower beds nearby.
Swann Memorial Fountain in Philadelphia, framed by downtown skyscrapers and surrounding greenery.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Two women walk past the Swann Memorial Fountain with water jets spraying into the air.
Two women pass the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square, with the fountain’s water jets rising behind them.
June 2004 © · No restrictions
Swann Memorial Fountain rises behind a patch of pink flowers, with water shooting high from the circular basin.
Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square, seen behind pink flowers with water jets shooting into the air.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleSwann Memorial Fountain
Typemonumental Art Deco fountain
Also known asFountain of the Three Rivers

Historical context

Dedicated toDr. Wilson Cary Swann, founder and late president of the Philadelphia Fountain Society
Commissioned byPhiladelphia Fountain Society
Planned asa commemorative fountain in honor of its late president and founder
Site grantthe society was granted the site in the center of Logan Circle on the condition that the fountain would become city property
Sculptural themeadaptation of the river god tradition

Creator

SculptorAlexander Stirling Calder
ArchitectWilson Eyre

Iconography and meaning

Meaning of swansa pun on Dr. Swann's name
Main figureslarge Native American figures symbolizing the Delaware, Schuylkill, and Wissahickon waterways
Wissahickon figurea girl leaning sideways against a spray-ejecting swan representing Wissahickon Creek
Schuylkill figurea mature woman holding the neck of a swan representing the Schuylkill River
Delaware figurea male figure stretching his arm above his head to grasp his bow while a large pike sprays water over him, representing the Delaware River
Animal motifsswans, frogs, turtles, and a large pike

Physical characteristics

Central water featurecentral geyser
Normal geyser height25 feet (8 m)
Central geyser height50 feet (15 m)

Technique

Water jets and basin designerWilson Eyre

Location and ownership

Locationcenter of Logan Circle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Position on Benjamin Franklin Parkwaymidpoint
Ownershipcity property
Landscapingformerly framed by a circle of paulownia trees, since replaced; the garden is planted and maintained by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Nearby Calder family sculpturesthe William Penn statue atop City Hall at the southeast end of the Parkway and Ghosts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the northwest end

History and restoration

Swimming traditionswimming in the fountain during warm months is a long-standing Philadelphia tradition
Swimming banPhiladelphia began enforcing a swimming ban in summer 2006 with a nearly constant security presence
Swimming ban lifted2009

Significance

Local nickname for the triothe Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
Cultural referencesmentioned in songs by The Wonder Years, including "Logan Circle" from The Upsides and "Spit Fountain" by Algernon Cadwallader; featured in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 and the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode "Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life"