Historical information

Designed by Carl Wilhelm Vahland in 1880 the fountain still stands on the corner of Bull Street and Pall Mall.
William Vahland (2 October 1828 – 21 July 1915) arrived in Australia in 1854 from Hannover, Germany and married Jane Barrow in 1859.
Having trained as an architect in his homeland, Vahland followed the gold to Bendigo but after little success opened an architectural practice which established him as Central Victorian's premier architect. Over his long career Vahland designed over 200 public buildings, monuments and private residences which can still be seen throughout the district including the Alexandra Fountain, the Cascades in Rosalind Park and Capital Theatre and Rifle Orderly Rooms now the Bendigo Art Gallery, collaborating with fellow architect Getzschmann on many of these projects. William Vahland Place in Bendigo is named after him. He was secretary of the Golden and Corinthian Lodge of Freemasons, and in 1904 he published a History of Freemasonry in Bendigo. Despite his contributions, World War I brought unwarranted hardship. Though a British citizen for nearly 60 years, his German heritage led to suspicion and he was forced to report to the police weekly, surrender his passport, and faced the indignity of asset restrictions. He passed away on July 21, 1915—his 56th wedding anniversary.

Physical description

Three lion head water features originally from Vahland fountain currently located in Bull Street near the Old Law Courts and conservatory.