In 1912, under the direction of Charles H. Thomas, publisher of the Lake Shore News, a public fund drive began to raise money for a public drinking fountain. Installed in the fall of 1913 at a cost of $897.00, Venus was sculpted by J.W. Fiske and manufactured by J.L. Mott Ironworks, both of New York City. Originally a muddy, ochre hue and made of cast metal, she was painted in 1948. Today, Venus is one of only a few remaining statues in the USA, and unlike her sisters she is the only one with a light.