Focus on Drake Fountain and discuss the Architecture.
The fountain is composed of granite and designed in the Gothic Revival style.  It consists of a square column with a pyramidal cap on a quatrefoil base.  The column and cap are ornamented with classical columns and other carvings.  At each corner of the column is a flying buttress which rises behind a large circular basin.   The basins originally were drinking fountains and were chilled by ice blocks placed in the monument's base but currently serve as planters.  The chambers under the fountain were large enough to accommodate two-tons of ice.
A bronze statue of Christopher Columbus stands in front of the column on a square granite base.  Columbus is depicted during his university days and holds globe in his left hand and a compass in his right.  Above the statue is a bronze plaque stating ICE WATER FOUNTAIN GIFT OF JOHN B. DRAKE TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO 1892.
The fountain was refurbished in 1986 and became a Chicago landmark March 10, 2004.  It was rededicated October 8, 2004.
flying buttress Gothic Revival Chicago quatrefoil Christopher Columbus