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<p>Dedicated in 1930 by J.C. Nichols' real estate company, this Ward Parkway fountain demonstrates the growth of Kansas City's southern suburbs in the 1920s. One of several simple pedestal fountains that can be found in this part of War Parkway, this Ward Parkway fountain represents the continued influence of urban planners on the shape of the community. By the early 1900s, the city's fountains were designed for aesthetics while previous fountains in more urban areas were designed to provide drinking water for horses and humans. </p>

Sixty-Ninth Street Fountain

This Kansas City driving tour mostly follows the route of Ward Parkway, the crown jewel of Kansas City’s 135-mile boulevard and parkway system that was planned by architect George Kessler in the early 20th century. The parkway is named in honor of frontier trail outfitter turned Kansas City real estate investor Seth Ward. Heirs of Ward worked with real estate developer J.C. Nichols, donating the original ninety acres that would become Ward Parkway in 1908 to become part of the city's parks and boulevard system and increase the value of adjacent neighborhoods. 

The parkway soon attracted some of the wealthiest families in the city, with public and private investment creating the parklike atmosphere that continues to make this boulevard a source of civic pride for many Kansas Citians. At the same time, the neighborhoods along the parkway included restrictive covenants in real estate deeds that accelerated patterns of residential segregation.  

This tour includes a handful of historic homes near Ward Parkway, taking a slight detour along Sunset Drive before returning to Ward Parkway for the last few stops and concluding at the historic Raphael Hotel. The tour can be experienced from any location. For those who are driving along Ward Parkway, users can choose to start at Gregory Boulevard (71st Street) and drive north to Country Club Plaza, or they can start at the Plaza and move south (hit the reverse order to change the starting place and order). Be sure to also explore the numerous Clio tours in the area for Country Club Plaza, Loose Park, and the UMKC campus. 

Sixty-Ninth Street Fountain

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