East India Fountain

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Completed in July, 1976, the East India Square fountain symbolizes the historical relationship of Salem to the ocean and the Far East. Click above to hear Collin's right hand man, Tom Schraudenbach discuss it's creation.

Designed as an abstracted map of Salem, the pool is constructed with two levels to illustrate the shorelines of pre-colonial and contemporary Salem. The upper level represents the 18th and 19th century coastline, when Salem's shipping trade with the Far East flourished.

The lower level represents the shape of today's shoreline, the result of over two hundred and fifty years of filling. The North and South Rivers and the old Harbor were essentially lost in the process.

The two levels are built with granite stones salvaged from the bed of Essex Street, and the bottom is paved with local water-worn cobbles. The sculpture, placed in front of East India Marine Hall, symbolizes the importance of Salem as a gateway to the Far East. Ada Louise Huxtable, renowned architectural critic for the New York Times, found the square "delightful".