Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
20 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
20 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
20 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
20 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Australia Dr James Ramsay Fountain
AO Edited

Dr James Ramsay Fountain

This Australian drinking fountain pays tribute to the generosity and talent of a 19th-century Scottish doctor.

Prahran, Australia

Added By
Obscuravibes
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Dr James Ramsay Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Dr James Ramsay Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Dr James Ramsay Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Dr James Ramsay Fountain   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Situated directly in front of the historic Independent Church of Prahran sits this drinking fountain that pays tribute to a local hero. Erected in 1907 and officially unveiled by the Mayor of Prahran in an official public ceremony, this fine basalt, granite, and marble monument is dedicated to the life and services of Dr. James Kerr Ramsay.

Ramsay was born in Scotland and graduated with a medical degree from the esteemed Glasgow University in 1863. It was in Koroit, a small rural town in western Victoria, that he found his first job in Australia to practice medicine. Ramsay then made his way towards Melbourne, where in Prahran and the surrounding areas he made a lasting impact on the health needs of the local population.

Initially working as a resident medical officer at the Alfred Hospital, it was in 1872 that he began community work in South Yarra. In 1900, he purchased land and developed a community medical practice at 244 Malvern Road (where interestingly there is still a medical clinic there to this day).

It was after his death that funds were raised by members of the community to build a lasting memory in his honor. The Prahran City Council also backed these fundraising efforts. At a time where there was great division between social classes, Ramsay sought to disregard this. Records show that he frequently reached out to treat and make a difference in the lives of the poorer members of the community. His impact on the area is best summed up by this extract from the Prahran Telegraph’s article from the fountain’s official unveiling in 1907: “The work is generally regarded as a most useful and appropriate memorial to the esteem and affection in which the late doctor was held locally.”

The water no longer flows from the fountain but the inscriptions can be read to this day for visitors to Princes Gardens. 

Related Tags

Fountains Medicine History & Culture Design

Know Before You Go

This fountain can be visited by the Independent Church of Prahran. This historic place of worship is now used as the Chapel Off Chapel arts venue for musical and theatre performances. Visitors can also explore the Prince's Gardens of Prahran. The fountain is no longer active with water but remains in a well-preserved condition. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Obscuravibes

Published

October 4, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/medicine/display/33183-dr-james-ramsay
Dr James Ramsay Fountain
12 Little Chapel St
Prahran, 3181
Australia
-37.847305, 144.995843
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Artist's Lane

Windsor, Australia

miles away

Glen Huntly Pioneers Memorial

St Kilda East, Australia

miles away

Australian Nurses Memorial

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Australia

Australia

Oceania

Places 610
Stories 94

Nearby Places

Artist's Lane

Windsor, Australia

miles away

Glen Huntly Pioneers Memorial

St Kilda East, Australia

miles away

Australian Nurses Memorial

Melbourne, Australia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Australia

Australia

Oceania

Places 610
Stories 94

Related Places

  • La font.

    Barcelona, Spain

    Font de Sant Just

    This fountain was designed to honor the man who helped bring water to Barcelona.

  • Kothari Pyau

    Mumbai, India

    Kothari Pyau

    Constructed in 1923, this is one of several heritage drinking fountains across Mumbai.

  • ‘Crvena Kap’

    Kragujevac, Serbia

    'Crvena Kap'

    A sculpture of a blood drop designed to honor those that have donated the precious liquid.

  • Piazza Statuto

    Turin, Italy

    Piazza Statuto

    This fountain is dedicated to the workers who perished constructing the Fréjus Rail Tunnel.

  • Trg 1. maja

    Piran, Slovenia

    Trg 1 Maja

    Piran’s oldest square is laden with history and a beautiful 18th-century reservoir.

  • The bronze ships are elaborate and wind-swept

    Battery Point, Australia

    Tasman Fountain

    Located alongside the famous Salamanca Market and in sight of Parliament House, this large and elaborate monument is hard to miss, split into two sections and standing some 14 meters tall.

  • Castanets Waterfall

    Aranjuez, Spain

    Cascada de las Castañuelas

    This waterfall, also known as the “the castanets” is said to mimic the sounds of the waves in Portugal.

  • Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    Budapest, Hungary

    Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    A stunning Art Nouveau cinema in the heart of Budapest.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.