Lotta Fountain

The Lotta Fountain is a granite structure topped with a dog sculpture and features a cat-head spout at its base that channels water into a tiled basin. The design includes separate drinking outlets for humans and animals, creating a functional public feature along the riverside park.

The fountain was created in 1939 by sculptor Katharine Lane Weems and relocated in 1949 to make way for nearby road construction. The structure received a comprehensive restoration in 2015 to preserve its condition for future generations.

The fountain honors Lotta Crabtree, a 19th-century performer whose name is carved into the granite structure. Visitors can see the inscription that remembers her as one of America's most celebrated stage entertainers of that era.

The fountain sits on the Charles River Esplanade between Berkeley and Clarendon Streets, making it easy to reach on foot from nearby neighborhoods. The surrounding park path offers room to explore the riverside area at a relaxed pace.

The granite surface features carved bas-relief sculptures of a duck and rabbit that blend into the overall design. These animal carvings add a playful layer to the fountain that many visitors overlook on a casual walk by.