May 30, 1908
"Mayor Robert W. Speer and F.W. Darlington, an engineer with the Denver Interurban Railway, dedicate the new marvel in City Park Lake--The Prismatic Electric Fountain.  The Fountain features electric lighting effects that have not been seen before by the public.  Eleven columns of brightly colored light stream through the dramatic changing patterns of water.  High in the north tower of the City Park Pavilion, an operator sits at a roll top desk, moving levers to undulate the twelve sets of water features and make the columns of light change color to the sounds of the Denver Municipal Band."
Denver Municipal Facts--May 22, 1909

Faded Glory
Darlington's brilliant engineering work gave citizens and visitors a spectacle which provided many lasting memories.  Over the years many changes were made to the operating mechanism to keep it running.  However, by the late 1970's the fountain had become a shadow of its former glory.  Flooding of the fountain vault and ever increasing maintenance problems eventually lead to the discontinuation of all fountain shows and night time lighting.

A New Beginning
Phase 1 of a comprehensive reconstruction program has been completed thanks to generous support from Denver Water, Colorado Historical Society and a Denver bond issue.  New pumps are installed and plans for the reconstruction of the historic fountain vault in the lake are in progress.  The Montclair Stormwater detention project at Ferril Lake will provide the resources to re-build the fountain vault.  However, additional funds are needed to purchase the new nozzles, valves, lights and control system that will provide the dramatic water displays.  We need help from individual, corporate and foundation donors to achieve our goal to have the Prismatic Electric Fountain ready for its centennial celebration in 2008.