During our work on the design of the Roth Fountain, another significant Sioux City structure was condemned to the steel wrecking ball. Through quick thinking a fountain design was put together and presented to Jeff Lapke, the president of Central Bank, who was then instrumental in saving the terra cottas from destruction. The fountain design is more reflective of the feminine qualities of the building although the terra cotta designs are very abstract and dynamic. In the Prairie School philosophy white represented the female character. In the basin design of the fountain gold tiles have been added to enhance the richness of details and to play upon the light reflected through the water. As an interior fountain the pool could also house gold fish and water lilies, although it can also serve as an exterior fountain, for example in a sculpture garden. The complex pattern of the terra cotta which repeats itself to form two designs has been made clearer to understand than the somewhat confusing decoration had been on the 1920 Sioux City building which had once stood on the 500 block of 4th Street. It is believed to have been built by William Steele and the terra cottas to be the design of G.G. Elmslie and the handwork of Christian Schneider. It was torn down in November of 2003.

Photo of the building with the terra cottas intact.

Photo of upper left corner of building.

Detail of the terra cottas on the building.

Partial rendering of the pool mosaics.