Studebaker Electric Fountain Vintage Gallery

In 1876, John Studebaker, President of the Studebaker Brothers Wagon Works, took his display wagon to the United States Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. J.L. Mott Ironworks from New York brought an elaborate cast-iron fountain to the Exposition to display.

According to a review at the time, Mott’s fountain stood 25′ tall and was said to have the largest cast-iron basin in the United States. Eventually, John Studebaker decided he would order one of these fountains to bring back to the City of South Bend.