In 1899, a wealthy guy named Hermon Lee Ensign passed away and asked that his fortune be used to build water fountains for animals across the country. (No, no, I'm not making this up.) This one in downtown Selma (1911) is one of many still standing today (although it originally featured lions, not horses). While the fountains were mostly for horses, this one accommodated dogs as well. Ensign's nationwide fountain effort soon hit an unexpected snag: the advent of the automobile. As the fountains were generally in the middle of intersections, many were either removed or relocated. This one originally stood about 1/2 mile away. Although relocated, the Selma Ensign fountain is still flowing in front of the St. James Hotel at the corner of Washington Street and Water Avenue.