Former Fountains

The Eastside Triangle was formerly a fountain area.

The use of fountains was originally to provide drinking water to the population of a city. Even before indoor plumbing, fountains became decorative. As decorations, fountains have an appeal as being impressive. Many fountains are actually a memorial to a person or sometimes for an event.

Once a fountain is built, problems become apparent to the people charged with the upkeep, and only become known to property owners when extra resources are needed. Problems include: The insurance rates increase. Children like to jump into fountains. Some people use it as a water source. (Washing, bathing, etc.) Unclogging pipes become a feat of engineering. Pipes can freeze and burst. Everyone has a better idea of where it should be or how it should look. Running water is noisy. Maintenance and cleaning become complicated. (For starters who knows where the shut-off valve is located?) The main reason is water conservation.

Former Fountains In Santa Cruz County.

Corner of Water Street and Soquel Avenue

This was once the largest water fountain run by the city of Santa Cruz. It was known as the Eastside Triangle. The area is now called El Portal Park.

9100 Highway 9

This garden was a fountain until a vehicle hit it and caused the water to run into the road. The damage is still visible. It was safer to make it into a garden.

920 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley

This garden plot was once a fountain. There was also a fountain inside the building. After the earthquake of 1989, the water to the fountains had to be turned off. The indoor fountain was removed, the outside fountain was replaced with the garden.

Corner of Ocean Street and Water Street

The fountain was a rectangle slab. The landscape is an improvement. When the current building was built, it included a fountain. As the building changed ownership, none of the tenants wanted the fountain running. When Bank of America moved in, they took out the fountain and put in a nice garden.

550 Water Street

This planter was once a fountain known for spraying water on cars on windy days.

Branciforte Plaza

This fountain became a vertical garden. Few people notice this former fountain because most visitors use the entrance nearest the parking in the rear.

Santa Cruz City Hall

The fountains at City Hall have been garden plots and planters and back to fountains. This started as a fountain, and became a garden area by filling in with soil. It is now a fountain again. This fountain is now a planter.

Deer Park

This object d'art was once a fountain.

At the Summit

On and off since the 20th century. This fountain is part of the restaurant at the Summit along Highway 17. By 2011, the name of the restaurant has changed many times. The fountain is still there. It has been on and then off with each new owner.

Watsonville Area Earthquake Monument

The city of Watsonville agreed to allow the fountain. It was donated by a local organization. Originally it showed stylized falling brick walls with water gushing from the breaks. There have been complaints about the theme, presentation and if the earthquake should be remembered by a fountain. There are also errors in the images. (No packages came from C.A.R.E., the clock has an error on the numbering, etc.) It is now a garden plot. According to the plaque, the monument was dedicated October 17, 1991.