Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain, West Bromwich - A Sandwell Gem!

The Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain dates to 1885. It is a drinking fountain with canopy in Dartmouth Square, West Bromwich, end of the High Street. It was relocated in 1987.


Where is the Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain?

The Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain is at Dartmouth Square, High Street, West Bromwich, B70 7QX

 

In brief

The drinking fountain and canopy was originally erected in Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich in 1885 by Councillor R Farley, in memory of his late mother Elizabeth Farley. When it was Grade II listed in 1987, it was relocated to the High Street, in what is now Dartmouth Square. The memorial fountain was renovated and repainted in 2022, and the railings replaced by bollards.

Farley FountainElizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain, West Bromwich (January 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain - History

A drinking fountain, and canopy, it was originally in Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich from 1885 until it was relocated to the High Street in 1987, in what is now Dartmouth Square, this was around the time it got Grade II listed.

Farley FountainElizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain, West Bromwich (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was made by W MacFarlane & Co, Glasgow.

Farley FountainElizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain, West Bromwich (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was erected by Alderman Reuben Farley JP, the Mayor of West Bromwich in 1885, in loving memory of his mother Elizabeth Farley.

Farley FountainElizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain, West Bromwich (April 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There used to be a canopy over this end of the High Street for the Farley Centre, but this was removed between 2012 and 2014. 

Kenrick's ClockKenrick's Clock and Farley Fountain, West Bromwich (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Sometime during 2022, both the clock and drinking fountain canopy (the Elizabeth Farley Memorial Fountain) were restored and repainted from the previous red to blue.

The area around both monuments was repaved, and several bollards were installed around them.

Kenrick's ClockKenrick's Clock and Farley Fountain, West Bromwich (December 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

During the summer of 2017, around Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull was a trail of The Big Sleuth bears. In Dartmouth Square near the Farley Fountain was Bearolution by the artists Richard Flatley and Ruth Conover (and others). It was funded by West Bromwich Youth Council and Sandwell Council.

The Big SleuthBearolution outside the Farley Fountain, West Bromwich (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

20 Jan 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com