Latitude: 58.9633 / 58°57'47"N
Longitude: -3.2978 / 3°17'51"W
OS Eastings: 325460
OS Northings: 1009177
OS Grid: HY254091
Mapcode National: GBR L571.633
Mapcode Global: WH69V.9ZW2
Plus Code: 9CCRXP72+8V
Entry Name: Alexander Graham Fountain, Victoria Street, Stromness
Listing Name: Victoria Street, Alexander Graham Fountain
Listing Date: 24 March 1998
Category: C
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 392305
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB45423
Building Class: Cultural
ID on this website: 200392305
Location: Stromness
County: Orkney Islands
Town: Stromness
Electoral Ward: Stromness and South Isles
Traditional County: Orkney
Tagged with: Fountain
Walter Macfarlane & Co, dated 1901. Commemorative cast-iron fountain sited in small square between Harbour Office and Eventide Club buildings, giving access to harbour. Shallow circular bowl supported on 4 scroll-headed hoofs; central fluted shaft with inscribed bronze shield; anthemion baluster with 2 flanking scrolls supporting tapering shaft above; fountain flanked to E and W by decorative cast-iron bollards.
B-group with Harbour Office and Eventide Club. Alexander Graham found fame in Stromness for the role he played in gaining financial and trade independence from Kirkwall. He lead a group of merchants in a lengthy legal wrangle from 1743 onwards against Kirkwall over an anomaly in the Act on Union which allowed Royal Burghs to levy heavy taxes on traders outside their boundaries. The case was won in 1758, but left Graham financially ruined, and was eventually sent to prison for his debts. However, Stromness' new-found freedom from Kirkwall enabled it to become a thriving 18th and 19th century trading centre. Cast by the Saracen Foundry. No longer in use as a fountain.
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