Fulford-By-The-Sea Monument, historic fountain in Florida, USA

The Fulford-By-The-Sea Monument is a fountain and landmark at the corner of NE 172nd Street and 23rd Avenue in North Miami Beach. Nearly 100 years old, it features classical Greek and Roman-inspired architecture with arches, columns, and a domed top with colorful mosaic tiles, decorated with urns and steps around its base and set within a circular pool about 30 feet across.

The fountain was built in 1925 by the Fulford-by-the-Sea Company as the entrance to its development, and was among the largest fountains built in South Florida that decade. Four similar fountains were planned at other access points, but the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 and the end of the Florida land boom stopped their construction. It is a Dade Historical Site and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Fulford by the Sea Entrance on November 29, 2010.

The name comes from the Fulford-by-the-Sea Company, which built the fountain in 1925 as the entrance marker to its planned development. The city of North Miami Beach uses the fountain's image in its official logo, so residents see it on municipal materials. The four other fountains planned for the development's other access points were never built after the 1926 hurricane.

The monument sits in an accessible location in North Miami Beach and is easy to spot from the street. Visitors should note that the area experiences hot, sunny weather, so sun protection and plenty of water are recommended, and the best photo opportunities occur during early morning or late afternoon hours.

The unicorn busts atop the monument are unusual decorative elements that stand out from typical Greek and Roman classical patterns and give the structure a playful character. This detail reflects the optimistic and daring spirit of the 1920s when a new community was planned with grand dreams.