HISTORIC STETSON UNIVERSITY
Founded 1883
HOLLER FOUNTAIN
One of Stetson University's most photographed landmarks and a symbol for working towards the future while remembering the past.
The Heart of Stetson
Holler Fountain has been and will continue to be a centerpiece on the Stetson University campus. For decades, the fountain has marked where the heart of the campus is for visitors, staff, and students alike. When the fountain was first installed, it was located in the middle of the infamous Palm Court and surrounded by Sampson Hall, Elizabeth Hall, and across from the school’s soda shop making it something every student could walk past on a day to day basis. The campus has undergone many changes since the fountain's original installment in 1951, but it remains surrounded by the beautiful palm trees of Palm Court, Elizabeth Hall, Sampson Hall, and the duPont-Ball Library. Though the fountain has not always lived in its current location, it is, without a doubt, an important landmark on the beautiful campus.
To William Holler, Sr.
THE DEDICATION
In 1951, William Holler, Jr. and Earl Brown purchased the fountain from the World's Fair and moved it to its current location at the heart of Stetson University. The fountain was intended as a gift for William Holler, Sr. to commemorate his work in with General Motors and within the Central Florida Community. During the commemoration ceremony, it was decorated with a plaque reading, "Building for the future while others think of today", a quote by William Holler, Sr. One may argue that both Holler Sr. and Jr. knew what they were doing when placing such a dazzling fountain at the heart of the university and decorating it with a plaque of that inscription.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
A fountain's journey from Florida to Michigan to New York and home again.
The fountain was first constructed in Florida and presented at the Great Lakes conference in 1937. People came from all over the country to marvel at the fountain’s display of moving water jets and mesmerizing colors. Onlookers were fascinated by the way the fountain could project color and shoot various water patterns into the sky and have the water cascade back down into the surrounding pool. So, in 1939, the fountain was moved to the World’s Fair in New York City. The incredible jets of water and colorful lights could often be seen from the road surrounding its location at the World’s Fair. Because of this, people would stop in the middle of the street to watch the display.
A LITTLE BIT OF HOME
Holler Fountain to the Students
When visiting Holler Fountain, the average person may not see all of its potential. It is only a teal fountain and a large pool in the middle of a college campus. However, when looking closer at what the fountain represents and how it has impacted the campus, one will find a rich history far deeper than its memorialization of William Holler, Sr. Holler Fountain has represented the heart of Stetson University for generations. For instance, in 2000, the student government used this historic landmark as the site for their “Holler Chats”, a chance for regular students to work alongside their representatives in order to better the school. This was one of the first regular student-lead events on campus. The student government at the time thought of the fountain as a central enough space for every student to pass on their way to class and interesting enough to have passing students want to stop and chat with their representatives.
In 1953, it was the focal point of a photography contest. Students from every major and minor participated in the photographing of one of the campus's newest landmarks. The winning photograph was shared in the Stetson Newspaper. It depicted a young couple kissing near the fountain with Sampson Hall in the background. Because the fountain had only been on Stetson's campus for two years, the school thought it to be a positive way to show school spirit and appreciation for this new installment.
The fountain has been the center of hundreds of pranks in the past, the majority of which seem to involve a large amount of soap and bubbles. For years people have enjoyed throwing their friends into the water on their birthdays or going in for a swim and a laugh. Fraternities have been known to throw incoming members into the cold water as a form of induction. It is obvious that the fountain is beautiful to look at, but the waters coursing through the pipes not only memorialize William Holler Sr. and his son, but also the lives of the faculty, staff, and students who are a part of Stetson’s story.
TO PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
The Holler Fountain is a landmark that will hold its historical integrity. As a beautifier, fountains automatically add much more character and excitement to any location. Even if some don’t fully know where the fountain comes from or the history is holds, it is a work of art that will be remembered through the ages both for its technological strides and for the future it represents.
HOLLER FOUNTAIN STREETVIEW
DeLand, FL 32724