American Legion Memorial Fountain

This Kansas City fountain was originally installed downtown on a safety island at 9th and Main and was dedicated on November 2, 1921, during the American Legion's 3rd national convention. The convention included a multi-day celebration along with the dedications of an additional American Legion fountain in Swope Park, and a dedication ceremony at the site of Liberty Memorial, a project that was completed five years later and is now the site of the National World War I Museum. This large limestone fountain was sculpted by Robert Merrell Gage and pays tribute to American soldiers that fought in World War I. The fountain features two bronze plaques with depictions of soldiers in action, a quote from former President Teddy Roosevelt, and a list of honorary Kansas City American Legion posts. The fountain was moved to its current location in 1959 following a downtown redevelopment project.

The American Legion was established by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to serving current and former service members and their communities. The American Legion became one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the country, shaping social change and procuring benefits for veterans. The Legion is organized into 55 departments, one in each of the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines. Today, there are nearly 2 million members serving at more than 13,000 posts. 

The third national convention of the American Legion was held in Kansas City from October 31 to November 12, 1921. A celebration took place from October 30 to November 2 in which a parade was held downtown, along with a dedication ceremony for Liberty Memorial which was completed five years later. The 1921 convention also included the dedication of an additional American Legion Memorial Fountain in Swope Park.

The American Legion Memorial Fountain was originally installed downtown and dedicated on November 2, 1921. Sitting alone on a small island at 9th and Main Street, the memorial initially served as a drinking fountain, but this feature was only in operation for a few months before the pipes burst during its first winter season. The fountain remained at this location until the city organized a redevelopment project downtown in 1959. At that time, the foundation was relocated to its current location in the heart of historic northeast Kansas City. In 2002, the fountain was the subject of a hit-and-run accident, causing major damage to the stone and plumbing. After the pieces were gathered, it was restored and returned in May 2006. 

Conceptualized by artists Wilkinson and Crans and sculpted by Robert Merrell Gage, the fountain features a large round basin on a pedestal, with a 6-foot rectangular shaft projecting from its center. At the top, an eagle is carved into each corner. Two bronze bas relief plaques mounted to opposite sides of the stone projection depict soldiers on one side and sailors on the other. Two of the three soldiers are carrying weapons, the center figure with a rifle and the front figure with a grenade. There are two sailors, one appears to be holding a wrench and the other a naval artillery shell. On the opposite sides of the projection are inscriptions. One side offers a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: 

“All daring and courage, all iron, endurance or misfortune, all devotion to the ideal of honor and glory of the flag makes for a finer and nobler type of humanhood.” 

The other inscription lists the Kansas City American Legion Posts that had representatives serving on the City Central Executive Committee.

American Legion Memorial Fountain, Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Accessed February 23rd 2022. https://kcparks.org/places/american-legion-memorial-fountain/.

History, The American Legion. Accessed February 23rd 2022. https://www.legion.org/history.

Bushnell, Michael. Historic Northeast's American Legion Fountain, Northeast News. October 27th 2021. Accessed February 23rd 2022. http://northeastnews.net/pages/historic-northeasts-american-legion-fountain/.