 Prayer for Rain Scuplture
Location: 400 W. University Ave. (West Side Park)
One
hundred years ago from atop the Prayer For Rain fountain, the likenesses
of an American Indian, a panther, and a deer began keeping watch
over Champaign's West Side Park. The fountain and sculpture have
come to mean many different things to many different people.
For
two years ('98-'99), the Champaign Park District had taken steps
to restore the fountain to its original appearance when first dedicated
on June 1, 1899. After a year long absence for restoration purposes, the
sculpture atop the fountain was returned just in time for a rededication
celebration on Saturday, Jun 26, 1999.
 Edward
Kemeys (1873-1907) - Sculptor
Prayer
For Rain
by Edward Kemeys
The
Indian paused by the hills' wild crest
Where the hemlocks throw their shade,
He looked o'er the land where the burning west
A river of flame had made.
The suffering Earth was parched and dry
Neath the fierce Sun's molten glare,
For drought had drained rivers afar and nigh
And a thirst was everywhere.
Then lo! as the Medicine-Man on high
His arms upraised in prayer
Forth came two beasts from the river bed dry
And pausing, they joined him there.
The first was a panter, cruel and grim
The other was a wild deer shy;
And they raised a prayer for rain with him
To the Manitou on high.
History
- 1894
- Benjamin F. Johnson left $10,000 for the beautificaiton of White
Park (West Side). This money was used for a bandstand, sidewalks,
a fountain and a statue "Prayer For Rain"
- 1899
- Sculpture erected.
- In
July of 1900 the Illinois Fish Commision donated 75-100 goldfish
that were kept in the basin of the fountain.
-
For
the 100th anniversary of the Prayer For Rain fountain, restoration
and rededication was performed in 1999. The fountain was returned
to it's original look and function after having been modified
over the years.
 
 
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