A Forgotten Fountain Honoring A Forgotten Individual Is Located Close To The Calcutta High Court

A drinking fountain honoring former judge William Fraser McDonnell was built on Esplanade Row in 1894, within 100 meters from the Calcutta High Court’s main entrance. The inscription on the fountain’s white marble plaque, a remarkable example of Victorian Gothic revivalist design, originally praised Justice McDonell for his manly rectitude and gentle disposition. It is long gone now.

Water gushed from a bronze pipe in the lion’s mouth and fell into the trough while the fountain was in operation. This is where horses slept after a long day of hauling judges, attorneys, and litigants in carriages to and from the high court. A horse drinking fountain is a fitting tribute given McDonell’s extensive service as a steward of the Calcutta Turf Club, the premier horse racing club in the subcontinent. Maybe that’s why it was designed that way.

Former judge William Fraser McDonnell

The fountain is in terrible shape—cracked, it’s discolored, soiled, and completely abandoned.

But today, the fountain is concealed by a long line of closely packed vehicles. Horse-powered autos have taken the place of horse-drawn carriages. The fountain is in terrible condition; it is cracked, discolored, stained, and completely forgotten. There is a public restroom behind it, and a parking lot is in front of it. Passersby can no longer connect Justice McDonell with the marble plaque because the inscription has been removed.

Desmond Doig, an artist, photographer, writer, and editor noted in a 1966 article that only entirely demolishing the fountain could have done more to hide it from view. Even though it has been more than 50 years since that statement, certain things simply never change.

In addition to having this fountain named in his honor, McDonell had an exceptionally colorful life. He was born in December 1829 in Gloucestershire, England, finished his schooling at Cheltenham College, underwent specialized training at East India College, Hailey, and eventually enlisted in the Bengal Civil Service in 1850. He was initially assigned to the position of Assistant Magistrate for the Bihar district of Saran. He assumed leadership of the Magistrate in 1855.

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