8th and Townsend
SOMA
This winged lion sits in the traffic circle at 8th and Townsend.
The lion was a gift from a former Galleria showroom owner, Jack Shears. (Shears and Windows)
The Design Center placed the lion in the traffic circle in 1988, then installed a sprinkler system and planted the lawn. The Design Center has maintained the traffic circle since then.
The lion, purchased from Haddonstone, was designed as the center piece for a fountain, with plumbing lines running internally within the piece. Wouldn’t it be nice if someday the fountain is completed.
Update: As you can see by Evan Ward’s comments. The statue was actually purchased by Mr. Poland that owned the Showplace Square and Galleria. He purchased the Saint Marks Lion (symbol of Venice, Italy) from Haddonstone, through the Shears and Windows Showroom on the urging of Jack Shears and Adam Window after a trip they made to Venice.
it would be a great location for a fountain!
Jack Shears just talked the owner of #2 Henry Adams and Galleria (101) Mr Poland into buying the the fountain center shaft. Is a San Marcos Lion fountain from Haddenstone. That Jack Shears wanted for the new traffic circle. Was after he and Adam Window, returned from a trip to Venice together.
But I am sure that was not a gift, (but Shears & Window sold it at cost. I sent the bills to Mr. Poland, and deposited the checks he sent as payment for.)
Funny Jack is now being credited as making it a gift. He would enjoy getting the alcalde, when he was not responsible. Jack does deserves the credit, for talking Mr. Poland into purchasing it, for the circle.
Yes it was plumbed for a future fountain. But was a trial placement, as the traffic circle was just an experiment. It was removed, but partly thanks to the Potereo View, was brought back by popular demand.
So funny the grass, around the circle, is now a dog crapping place. Complete with a dog pooh garbage can.
That is just a very small part of the real Showplace Square History. Maybe someday that period will be truthfully documented.
Evan G. Ward
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