Small Home Gazette, Spring 2024
History Brief: Splendor IS the Grass
Running through the lawn sprinkler spray was a favorite childhood pastime in the bungalow era. But before there were lawn sprinklers, there had to be city water delivery systems.
Such systems were beginning to be installed in 1870, and the first American sprinkler was patented in 1871. Some of the earliest models looked overly engineered. Sprinklers took various forms, including contraptions that rolled on wheels, using yards of rubber hose. At first, sprinklers and hoses were only used for public buildings.
By 1900, some companies started making decorative figural cast iron sprinklers for use in residential yards. There were shapes like monkeys, frogs, ducks, alligators, turtles, a two-faced man, and a mermaid.
The sitting frog sprinkler was made by Bradley and Hubbard.
One of the most unusual examples was a 30-inch-high cowboy that spun a lasso, flinging water on the grass. It is thought that less than 100 were made. About 18 different shapes overall were made by six companies, better known for their doorstops, hardware, bookends and fountains.
The figural sprinklers looked great but were not always the best at watering. They have become highly sought after collectibles—early painted cast iron sprinklers in excellent condition can sell for over $1,000.
A Sprinkler Menagerie
Without a doubt, modern lawn sprinklers are boring. Functional if not always durable, they at least get the job done when the dog days of summer arrive.
But during the bungalow era, many sprinklers did more than keep the grass alive—they also put a smile on the faces of passersby.
We hope you enjoy the collection below of whimsical, animal-shaped sprinklers from the early 20th century.
