In front of the main entrance to the Roswell P. Flower memorial library stand two proud lions. They have stood their post, guarding and beautifying the front entrance, for over one hundred years.
Placed on the portico of the library in 1905 by a Mrs.Taylor, who was responsible for not only bringing the lions to our community, but also the installation of the marble fence that surrounds the entrance to the library. A couple of mishaps brought some minor repair work to the lions. A chipped K-9 tooth in 1925 due to a falling tree, and in 1982 a broken tail that was promptly re-attached.
These two proud and beautiful marble masterpieces have stood and bared witness to over a century of change in Watertown.
From the hey-days of Frank Winfield Woolworth's Five and dime, through the onslaught of our north country weather these lions have never failed to stand their post, allowing us all to be just a little more dignified in their presence.
Through the years there has been what one could call a lapse in due respect. For one hundred and five years, these two, that have come to symbolize the strength our cities citizens, and the honor of our principles, have gone nameless. Forgotten it seems, to have been bestowed with fitting monikers that would at once symbolize our appreciation for their tireless guardianship of our communities knowledge and history, while demonstrating our adoration for their part in making downtown Watertown as beautiful as it is.
As a life long resident I have grown up with the "library lions" and I too have taken their presence for granted at times. I believe the time has come for Watertown to repay our standing guards for their one hundred years of service. Name them, give them the respect that they deserve.