The unique literal and thematic positioning of the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain has enabled it to become the unofficial symbol of Orlando, Florida. Serving as a top attraction in the center of the city, it has become a critical means of identity used by various businesses and organizations throughout the area thanks to the impact it has had on the hearts and minds of audiences, generating a tremendous amount of activity on multiple levels.
Celebrating Orlando’s Centennial
A fountain in Orlando’s Lake Eola Park was originally installed in 1912 but a plan to celebrate the centennial of Orlando’s founding would see this fountain totally reimagined. The effort to do so was led by local banker Linton E. Allen, who had founded the First National Bank of Orlando during the Great Depression. He championed a design that was based on popular fountains across Europe England. Completed in time for Orlando’s centennial celebration in 1957, this fountain became known as the Centennial Fountain. In 1965 it was renamed the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain in honor of Allen, although it would continue to be referred to as the Centennial Fountain.
The Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain would be completely rebuilt in 2011 after a devastating lightning strike in 2009. This restoration included the installation of a sound system and lights that could change colors for different occasions or light shows. This allowed it to feature synchronized musical light shows that take place for special occasions as well as for a six-minute light show that happens every night between 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm. Audiences flock to the site on a daily basis to witness these shows but this engagement is just part of the reason it has become an icon of Orlando.
Referred to as everything from a Jell-O mold to a spaceship, the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain has been embraced by the surrounding community in a profound manner. The image of the fountain appears in everything from street signs to business logos to community artwork, highlighting the many ways it has been embraced and become a means of identity for individuals and organizations.
The elegant design of the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain has allowed it to be utilized as a subtle symbol of Orlando, blending into the scenery in certain settings while being especially prominent in others. This variety showcases the power of an icon when it comes to the many ways that audiences can recognize them as well as how stakeholders can see their positive influence extend across the eras.
The Many Ways an Icon Can Define a Legacy
Fountains across the world have become icons for cities and entire countries but the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain has been able to do so for Orlando in a way that is unique. By becoming a symbol for the city that is simultaneously representative yet understated, it highlights the many ways that an icon can define a legacy for stakeholders and an entire community.
