National Humane Alliance Watering Trough, Colfax, Tremont and 13th Street

The National Humane Alliance distributed around 125 horse watering trough fountains to various cities around the country. Herman Lee Ensign, who died in 1899, donated his fortune to funding the National Humane Alliance to help instill humanitarian ideals. The fountains were intended to bring fresh water to horses and other animals. The fountains were made of granite, and while many have been lost some remain such as the one at the paved triangle where Colfax Ave, Tremont St. and 13th St. intersect. The plaque on the fountain reads: “1907 Presented by the National Humane Alliance Hermon Lee Ensign, Founder”.