Fountains of Kansas City Driving Tour

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Downtown

Vision Fountain at the Arabia Steamboat Museum

The Vision Fountain adorns the entrance of the Arabia Steamboat Museum in the River Market area, located north of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Jim Brothers designed the sculpture that memorializes local businessman Cliff C. Jones, Jr. for his work in redeveloping the River Market area, a historic area of Kansas City. Meanwhile, the museum is home to numerous nineteenth-century artifacts, notably the recovered Steamboat Arabia, which sank with its 200 tons of mystery cargo near Kansas City on September 5, 1856.

Muse of the Missouri

Also known as the David Woods Kemper Memorial, the Muse of the Missouri sculpture and fountain was dedicated in 1962 to the memory of David Woods Kemper, who was killed in action during World War II in Italy. It was a gift to the city by his parents Mr. and Mrs. James Kemper. Artist Wheeler Williams created the sculpture and designed the fountains. The sculpture depicts a muse, a Greek goddess of arts and sciences, with a fishing net from which fish fall to the the pool below. The water fountain consists of three pools that are filled by two hundred water spouts.

The Poindexter Fountain

This Kansas City fountain is located just below the tongue-in-cheek public art installation Rodin Rodannadanna that adorns the Poindexter Building and parking structure. The fountain incorporates the bull and bear sculptures that originally were located adjacent to the now-demolished Gibraltar Building at 818 Wyandotte. In 1997, a project transformed the Poindexter office building into a 1,000-space parking garage that included a small recessed open-air court in front of the building where the sculpture and fountain are now located.

Eighth Street Fountain

In the decades after World War I, this section of downtown Kansas City, known as the Garment District, became a major clothing manufacturing site. Dozens of garment companies employed thousands of workers here until the domestic garment industry declined rapidly 1970s and 1980s. Today the Garment District is now primarily a residential and commercial area. The Eighth Street Fountain was erected in 1989 by the Historic Garment District Group to commemorate this important part of the city's history.

Barney Allis Plaza and Fountain

This large fountain was built in 1985 as part of a redesign of the Barney Allis Plaza, and urban park located above a parking garage at the site of the city's first convention hall which was built to host the Democratic National Convention of 1900. That convention hall was used until the 1930s and today, the plaza where it once stood is a tree-lined urban park that features several statues and is named after the manager of the former Muehlebach Hotel which was located across the street. That historic hotel is now part of the Marriott Hotel. Barney Allis managed the hotel for three decades beginning in 1931. Despite his short stature of 5 foot 3 inches, Allis had a tremendous presence and ran the hotel in a way that left a positive impression on visitors to the city. Allis earned a reputation as a perfectionist and his leadership bolstered the hotel's reputation which compelled a number of celebrities, including the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and future President Harry Truman, to choose to stay at the Muehlebach. The fountain is on the north end of the plaza and features 112 water jets. The plaza was first created in 1956.

William Thornton and Charlotte Crosby Kemper Memorial Fountain

Artists Lori Doolittle and Alvin Holm designed this unique downtown Kansas City fountain to resemble the ancient stone bowl which is on display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The fountain was dedicated in 1999 in honor of the Kemper Family and their commitment to Kansas City. The artists added features that preserve energy as part of their effort to reflect themes of conservation, art, and technology into the design of the fountain. The artists also worked to blend aspects of the fountain to match the architecture of nearby buildings, including the Commerce Bank headquarters.

Ilus W. Davis Park and Fountain

Constructed in the 1990s, this fountain and small park located next to Kansas City's City Hall honors former mayor Ilus Winfield Davis. Davis' two terms in office (1963-71) included efforts to end segregation in public schools and other institutions as well as measures to promote equality in the aftermath of the 1968 Kansas City riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King. Davis joined hundreds of Black youth in a march towards city hall, but the city's police department still made the decision to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. This action by the police prompted several days of riots, property damage, injuries, and deaths. Davis has been remembered by civil rights leaders for his good faith attempts to heal the city's racial divide. For example, Herman Johnson, the former president of the Kansas City NAACP, declaring at Davis' 1996 funeral: "Ilus Davis probably did more than one single person in Kansas City in the area of civil rights" owing to his simple willingness to listen and support the ideas of African American leaders and residents at a time when other city leaders were less responsive.

Crossroads to Westport

Crown Center Square Fountain

Completed in 1973, the Crown Center Square Fountain is the centerpiece of the Crown Center business and shopping district. The 2,000 square-foot playful fountain is situated in the center of a landscaped courtyard across from the entrance of the Crown Center Shops. Its ground-level surface is made of checkerboard patterned pavers with dozens of jets that shoot water spouts 60 feet into the air. Water shows are performed daily and synchronized to music recorded by members of the Kansas City Symphony.

Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain

Built in 2001 by the designers of Las Vegas's famous Bellagio Hotel fountains, the Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain features 232 water jets and performs a five minute show every 30 minutes. The fountain was given by and is named for well known Kansas City businessman and philanthrope Henry Bloch, who was the co-founder of the premier tax preparation company H&R Block. Bloch is also known for his charitable contributions and commitment to improving the quality of life in the greater Kansas City area.

Liberty Memorial North Fountains

Completed in 1935, these twin fountains flank the steps beneath the Great Frieze on the north side of the National World War I Museum and Memorial. The monumental site opened in 1926 as Liberty Memorial to honor the lives of the 441 Kansas City residents who died in World War I. Made of limestone and granite, these two-tiered fountains were designed by the co-architects of Liberty Memorial, Wight and Wight, and overlook the North Lawn, historic Union Station, and the iconic Kansas City skyline.

Liberty Memorial South Fountain

Located at the entrance to the National World War I Museum and Memorial on the south side of the tower, this three-tiered fountain was originally installed as part of a major restoration effort to the historic Liberty Memorial between 2000 and 2002. The memorial was rededicated in 2002 and expanded to become the National World War I Museum and Memorial in 2004 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Kansas City Firefighters Fountain and Memorial

The Kansas City Firefighters Fountain and Memorial is dedicated to all the firefighters who have lost their lives during the Kansas City Fire Department’s history. It was first installed in 1991 to honor six firefighters who were killed in an explosion in 1988. Located in Penn Valley Park, the memorial originally consisted of three bronze sculptures of firefighters, an eighty-foot wide fountain, and bronze plaques listing the names of fallen firefighters. In 2015 the memorial was updated, with the bronze plaques replaced by illuminated aluminum walls featuring a corrected and expanded list of firefighters.

Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain

The Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain was dedicated in 1968. It pays tribute to the millions of youth who have been named Eagle Scouts since the award's induction in 1911. This 22-foot tall memorial was created by retrofitting a marble clock sculpture from New York City's Penn Station. When the station was demolished during the 1960s, local Boy Scout executive John Starr arranged to have the sculpture transported to Kansas City to serve as a tribute to Eagle Scouts. Architect Maurice McMullen modified the sculpture with a complementary fountain pool and adjacent stairways, which represent the levels a Scout much reach to receive the rank of Eagle Scout.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain

Dedicated on September 6, 1986, this tranquil fountain serves as a memorial to the Veterans who served in the Vietnam War. Five adjoining pools represent America's increased involvement throughout the War as the water starts calmly in a shallow pool before flowing into more turbulent waters. It ends with two channels leading to separate pools, symbolizing the divided opinions of the War. Across from the fountain is a semi-circular wall inscribed with the names of Kansas City area Veterans whose lives were lost.

Country Club Plaza

Mill Creek Park Fountain

Mill Creek Park fountain (formerly known as the J. C. Nichols Memorial Fountain) was brought from New York to Kansas City in 1951 by the Nichols family and is now one of the 48 city-owned fountains. The ornate fountain was designed and cast in France in 1910 for New York financier and telegraph mogul Clarence Mackay who was also a leading collector of fine art and Renaissance armor. The cast bronze fountain features four horsemen, representing the world’s four mightiest rivers, surrounded by four smaller sculptures of children playing on fish. One of these small fish sculptures had been sold prior to the demolition of Mackay's estate in 1947, so a replica of the fish was commissioned so that the fountain would match its original appearance when it arrived in Kansas City. The fountain was refurbished, installed, and dedicated to J. C. Nichols in 1960. The missing fish was eventually found and installed in a 2014 renovation. In recent years, city leaders have begun a process of recognizing the influence of J.C. Nichols in shaping the city in both positive and negative ways, including his use of racially restrictive covenants to bar African American and Jewish residents from his residential and commercial developments. In an effort to show that Kansas City parks are open to all, city leaders voted unanimously to rename the fountain on June 30, 2020.

Seville Light Fountain

Dedicated on October 12, 1967, this Kansas City fountain was a gift to the City of Fountains by Miller Nichols, son of Country Club Plaza developer J. C. Nichols. The fountain was created as a companion structure to the nearby Giralda Tower which was recently completed and also dedicated to honor the new relationship between Kansas City and Seville, Spain as Sister Cities. The fountain is an exact replica of la Fuente Farola, a fountain-lamppost in Seville's famous public district la Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes. Seville's La Giralda bell tower, the structure upon which Kansas City's Giralda Tower was modeled, is also located in this square. The fountain was carved from a variety of red and white marble, stands thirty feet tall, and features an iron lamppost on top. Water flows from the central base out through four Roman grotesque masks into scalloped basins before reaching its surrounding 20-foot reflection pool. It is one of many examples throughout the Plaza that encapsulates its Spanish inspiration.

Fountain of Bacchus (Pan and the Nymphs Fountain)

The Fountain of Bacchus, historically known as the Pan and the Nymphs Fountain, depicts the ancient God surrounded by nymphs courting him in the garden. Weighing in at nearly five tons and standing 13 feet tall, the lead sculpture is centered in the fountain’s quatrefoil-shaped base with circular and bubbling water features surrounding it. The large work of art was designed by Walter Gilbert, founder of Bromsgrove Guild of Warwickshire, England in the mid 1910s for Moreton Paddox, the home of British Major Robert Emmet. It was purchased in 1960 by Miller Nichols but, due to its size, was stored in several pieces for many years. It was installed and dedicated to the Country Club Plaza in 1967.

Neptune Fountain

The Neptune Fountain on the Plaza was brought to Kansas City in 1953 by Miller Nichols, son of Country Club Plaza developer J.C. Nichols. The fountain depicts Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, riding in a horse-drawn chariot. It was originally located on the Pennsylvania estate belonging to Alba B. Johnson, president of the Baldwin Locomotive Company from 1911 to 1935. Years after Johnson's death, the fountain was salvaged and purchased for it's weight in scrap metal by Nichols and set at this location on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.

Boy and Frog Fountain

The Boy and Frog Fountain is an original piece crafted by Italian artist Raffaello Romanelli (1856-1928). It was purchased by John C. Taylor from Romanelli Studios in Florence, Italy in 1928. This whimsical fountain features a small marble basin with bronze figures of a frog shooting water at a nude boy. The basin is held up by a faun atop a dolphin and overflows into a round pool inlaid with pieces of colorful tile. It was installed on the Plaza in 1929 but has since been relocated from its original location.

Allen Memorial Fountain

Allen Memorial Fountain was named in memory of the daughter and son-in-law of J.C. Nichols, Eleanor and Earl Allen who tragically died in a house fire on February 28, 1961. Both Eleanor and Earl worked for the Nichols company at one time and contributed to the success of the Plaza. This sentimental fountain is a tribute to motherhood and was imported from Italy and gifted to the Plaza by the couples' families in July 1962.

Mermaid Fountain

The Mermaid Fountain was installed on the Plaza in 1930 after the J.C. Nichols Company purchased two 300 year old marble mermaids from Italy. The mermaids are situated at the outer edge of the fountain and blow into a conch shell as water streams from the shell into the center of the pool. The circular water feature and bronze figure were not added until 1968 when the pool was reshaped into its current trefoil design, replacing the original rectangular pool. “A Morning Prayer” is the bronze statue, which depicts a child kneeling in prayer, as a plaque suggests for patrons to “Say Yours and Toss a Coin” for the Children of Mercy Hospital.

Diana Fountain

The Diana Fountain is a bronze replica of the original 1912 lead sculpture Diana and the Loves, and are the only two casts of the piece. The Nichols Company commissioned New York artist Bernhard Zuckerman for the replica as the centerpiece of the grand entrance of the Alameda Plaza Hotel (now Intercontinental Hotel) for its opening in 1972. The eight-foot wide sculpture depicts the Roman goddess Diana resting on the ground, surrounded by cherubs as they pursue her with flowers. It is located in the center of a round reflection pool, backed by a 17 foot tall wall fountain.

Brush Creek Fountains

Designed by International Architects Atelier, the three geysers that create the Brush Creek Fountains were installed just south of the Country Club Plaza as part of ongoing improvements to Brush Creek and a beautification project completed in 1996. Brush Creek is a 10-mile tributary to the Blue River which has served as a natural watershed for centuries. Originally a swamp and location of unsightly industry, this area of land in the Brush Creek Basin was purchased in the early 1900s and transformed into beautiful residential and commercial developments. The waterway was paved in 1935 by Tom Pendergast as part of a plan to make Kansas City “the greatest inland city in America,” not realizing the improvement created favorable conditions for flooding. Many floods occurred over the years, with the most devastating taking place in September 1977, resulting in 25 deaths and one hundred million dollars in damages. This urged Councilmen Cleaver and Watkins to take action, first introducing the “Cleaver Plan” in the early 80s. The plan initiated a flood emergency team, replaced bridges, and improved the water quality with the addition of pumps for circulation and the Brush Creek Fountains.

William Volker Memorial Fountain

Swedish sculptor Carl Milles designed this statue and fountain in 1955 to honor William Volker, an entrepreneur known for anonymous gifts to people in need along with leadership and generous financial support of civic projects which included the creation of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, building the city's Research Hospital, Liberty Memorial. The centerpiece of the sculpture is St. Martin of Tours, a young Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and went on to become the patron saint of soldiers. During his life, Volker was known as "Mr. Annonymous" for making thousands of small and confidential donations to citizens in need while also providing seed money to numerous charitable projects around the city. To represent Volker's generosity, the central figure in the fountain is giving away his coat. In the 1990s, the sculpture was moved to this location from Frank A. Theis Park south of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art , where it had been originally dedicated in 1958. The road next to the fountain was known as Volker Boulevard until the name was changed to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., decision city leaders recognized would have surely met the approval of Volker given his preference for anonymity and support of diverse institutions and people throughout his life.

Loose Park to Swope Park

Loose Park Wall Fountains (Adam and Eve)

Commonly known as “Adam and Eve,” the Loose Park Wall Fountains were dedicated in 1942 during the annual Rose Day celebration. After winning a competition held by the New Deal program Works Progress Administration, sculptor Jeanette Klein created two, large clay figures of a man and woman which were inset into the back wall of a service building near the Loose Park Rose Garden. The figures were replaced a few years later with concrete and marble aggregate sculptures using the original forms.

Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden and Fountain

Established in 1931 by the Kansas City Rose Society, the award winning Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden and Fountain are located at the northwest side of Loose Park. The garden was created as part of the park’s beautification plan but not officially named for its founder until 1965. It features a circular pattern of nearly 3,000 rose bushes, walking paths, pergolas, rose covered archways, benches, and an Italian stone fountain central to the garden. The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden offers educational opportunities, sponsors events, and continues to be a popular, tranquil destination for residents and visitors alike.

Ward Parkway Mirror Pool Fountain

Designed in 1924 by architect Edward Buehler Delk, this fountain was originally created as a reflection pool and was the first water feature along Ward Parkway. The three water rings were installed in 1965. The nearly one block long pool is located in the median of Ward Parkway, one of the first major thoroughfares created in Kansas City as part of the Parks and Boulevards System. The parkway was created in correlation with the development of J.C. Nichols’ Country Club Plaza district and other neighborhoods in plans to expand the suburbs southward. It features an array of beautiful landscaping and ornate statuary that landed it as one of ten “Great Streets” in 2012 by the American Planning Association.

Meyer Circle Sea Horse Fountain

Dedicated in 1925, the Meyer Circle Sea Horse Fountain is one of Kansas City’s most iconic landmarks. Architect Edward Buehler Delk designed the fountain, which originally featured a 17th-century sea horse sculpture from Venice that was purchased by real estate developer J.C. Nichols during one of his trips to Europe. Nichols donated the statuary to the city to adorn the large traffic circle as the construction of Ward Parkway moved south alongside some of the residential neighborhoods his company was building in that era. The 30-foot marble fountain piece was later replaced with a sandstone replica in 1992. The fountain was deemed inoperable in 2015, area residents donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for needed repairs and the fountain was rededicated in October 2017.

Romany Road Fountain

Installed in 1930, this shallow pool and fountain were the centerpiece of a sunken garden constructed to enhance the newly built neighborhoods surrounding Ward Parkway. While the stone pool exists in its original form, the fountain has been replaced multiple times due to vandalism. The present is a two-tiered pedestal fountain. A single jet spouts from the summit of the upper bowl while the perimeter of the lower bowl contains the faces of four cherubs in which water streams from their mouths. To the north and the south of the pool, the shallow stone walls of the sunken garden are still visible, though much of them are concealed by trees and shrubbery.

49/63 Neighborhood Fountain

Proposed by the 49/63 Neighborhood Coalition, this low-profile brick fountain and large concrete sculpture were completed in 1985 for use as a community gathering place. Created by artist Will Nettleship, the sculpture was inspired by geological shapes and its low-profile design is functional for a family-friendly walking path and resting place. Visitors to the fountain encounter a sensory experience through the natural movement of the sculptures while listening to the trickling water. With a need for more seating, Nettleship created three smaller concrete sculptures a few years later, which were placed under the trees in the surrounding green space.

Swope Park to Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard

Marlborough Plaza Fountain

Purchased by real estate developer J.C. Nichols in 1923, this was the first fountain installed in the Country Club Plaza shopping district. The fountain was removed from its home on a busy traffic island when the Seville Light Fountain was installed, then was relocated to its current location in 1968. Originally called “Boy and a Fish,” the fountain has since lost the statues that once adorned it. In 2012, the fountain was conserved and renamed to the Marlborough Plaza Fountain, paying respect to the neighborhood of Marlborough and surrounding area.

Harold D. Rice Fountain

Named after the City of Fountains Foundation founder Harold Rice, this fountain was installed in 1989 and named in honor of his contributions. The four-tiered pedestal fountain features scalloped basins that cascade into a round pool, which is centered in a larger, square pool. Located in the grassy median of the historic Paseo Boulevard, the fountain is surrounded by a red brick patio in a sunken courtyard and at one time contained seating benches. With planning efforts dating back more than a century, Kansas City has amassed more fountains than any other city besides Rome and is rightfully designated as the City of Fountains.

American War Mothers Memorial Fountain

This fountain honors Kansas City area mothers during World War I. Dedicated in 1942 as America entered a second global way, planning for this monument began in the interwar period.This monument's emphasis on women's role as mothers reflects contemporary views on the primary role of women, and it also reflects the substantial contributions of women to the homefront along with the shared sacrifice of families. World War I saw the mobilization of American women, including in official military roles for the first time. Seven women received the Distinguished Service Medal during World War I, and 600 women died. As part of both the Navy and Army, women worked in such capacities as messengers, cryptographers, truck drivers, radio and phone operators, medical technicians, and mechanics, many of whom worked on the front lines. Additionally, women nurses contributed mightily, not just as part of the Red Cross but as members of the Navy and Army; many were wounded or killed in action. Today, this fountain honors those women who served in the Navy directly along with the many civilian jobs within the armed forces during World War I, as well as the original scope of the monument that honored mothers of soldiers. In the three years after this monument's dedication, America's entry into World War II saw a substantial number of women serve in the military and military auxiliary units.

Delbert J. Haff Circle Fountain

Located outside of Swope Park, in which the Starlight Theatre and the Kansas City Zoo are located, the Delbert J. Haff Circle Fountain and bust sculpture honors the man largely responsible for the city's park system today. Delbert J. Haff (1859-1943) was born in Michigan and eventually studied law and passed the Michigan bar in 1885. In Kansas City, he helped the park board resolve financial and legal difficulties during the 1890s. He would also lead the effort to enable the city to create a park and boulevard system and served as park commissioner from 1908-1912. The fountain and half circle were dedicated 1940. The bust sculpture was created by Jorgen Dreyer in 1913 but not installed until 1967 (until that point it was in storage).

Martha & Jack Steadman Fountain

Set into a landscaped terrace near the west entrance of Starlight Theatre, this two-tiered fountain was installed in honor of the theater’s longtime supporters Kansas City Chiefs general manager Jack Steadman and his wife Martha. After growing up in Dallas, Texas, Jack helped establish the Dallas Texans football franchise before moving the team to Kansas City in 1963. In addition to serving in a variety of leadership roles with the Chiefs spanning four decades, Steadman was an advocate for the arts and a key contributor to several ventures. Jack Steadman served on many civic committees and boards, including Starlight Theatre for 43 years, where he championed substantial improvements. This fountain was dedicated on August 26, 1997.

Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars Fountain

Installed in 1996, the Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars Fountain is located at the east entrance of Starlight Theatre. The fountain is dedicated to Shirley Bush Helzberg, known for being a civic leader, developer, and advocate for the arts, as well as the monumental impact on Kansas City with her husband Barnett Helzberg. With great advice from her mother, Shirley learned the importance of involvement and improving everything she touched. She has been recognized for her major contributions to Starlight Theatre, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, the Kansas City Symphony, and much more.

Harry Evans Minty Memorial Fountain

Located inside the Kansas City Zoo on the Tiger Trail near the Red Panda exhibit, the Harry Evans Minty Memorial Fountain is an actively working drinking fountain first installed in 1965. Minty made a career in insurance and was a member and leader of many local organizations. Most notably, he was on the Park Board of Commissioners from 1942 to 1948 and worked to restore the Board’s business while keeping politics at bay after the fall of Tom Pendergast’s notorious political machine. Mr. Minty’s daughter Harriet donated the drinking fountain which features a bronze sculpture of one of her fathers favorite zoo animals, a lion cub named “Tyke,” on a corrugated, cylindrical concrete base. It was originally placed near the African Veldt and dedicated on October 19, 1967, then relocated in 1977 following the opening of the Great Catwalk exhibit.

Hillside Fountain

Designed by landscape architect Robin Frye, this multi-tiered waterfall is made of limestone blocks and was installed in 1998. Built into the hillside of Brush Creek Greenway, Hillside Fountain provides a tranquil stop in the eastern portion of Brush Creek Trail. This waterfall is located behind the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center on the south side of Brush Creek. Across the river to the north is the Spirit of Freedom Fountain and Brush Creek Amphitheater.

Spirit of Freedom Fountain

Dedicated in 1981, the Spirit of Freedom Fountain was conceptualized by Kansas City Councilman Bruce R. Watkins. It honors the contributions of and impact by the civil rights organization Freedom, Incorporated which was co-founded by Watkins in 1962 and continues to foster economic development and impact public policy for the African American community. Designed by Chicago artist and civil rights activist Richard Hunt, the 5,000 pound, abstract bronze sculpture symbolizes the ideal of freedom and acts as a reminder of the advocacy and influence of Watkins and Freedom, Incorporated. The sculpture rests on a pyramid-like base where water flows down into an elliptical shaped basin.

Spring Valley Park to Kessler Park

Bernard Powell Memorial Fountain

This memorial commemorates the life and legacy of one of Kansas City's leading African American activists, Bernard Powell. Located on the eastern side of Spring Valley Park across the street from his childhood home, a life-size bronze statue of Powell sits atop a large pyramid-shaped fountain. Though his life was tragically cut short at age 32, Bernard Powell worked tirelessly for the Black community from a young age. He became involved in the civil rights movement at 13, became the Regional Director of the Congress of Racial Equality while in high school, and helped establish the Social Action Committee of 20 at age 21. From there he worked with several civic organizations and advocated for the investment of the Prospect corridor community.

Women's Leadership Fountain

Originally named the Ninth Street Fountain, the Women’s Leadership Fountain was the second public fountain built in Kansas City. Designed by George Kessler and John Van Brunt, the limestone fountain was completed in 1899 as part of the City Beautiful Movement. It is one of 48 city-owned fountains and is currently the oldest working fountain in Kansas City. The fountain also memorializes thirteen women who have made tremendous contributions to the Kansas City community.

The Concourse Fountain

Once the site of a shallow pool constructed in 1939, the Concourse Fountain was installed in 2001. Located in a level greenspace within Kessler Park known as The Concourse, it contains 15 ground-level jets that invite patrons to caper through the water as it sprays through metal grates. The Concourse Fountain is one of three city fountains that runs year-round.

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.

Carl J. Dicapo Fountain at Kessler Park

Although Cliff Drive, where one can find the historic fountain, was purchased from the wealthy Reverend Nathan Scarritt around the turn of the twentieth century, the forested rocky bluffs rising 250 feet above the Missouri River served Native Americans in the area for centuries before white settlement. Since then, for more than a century, Kansas City residents have enjoyed the river bluff environment now known as Kessler Park, including the waterfall known as Carl J. Dicapo Fountain.

North Kansas City

François Chouteau & Native American Heritage Fountain

Development of the François Chouteau & Native American Heritage Fountain coincided with the 2021 Kansas City bicentennial. Francois and many members of the Chouteau family were early French traders and trappers who operated west of St. Louis during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Francois established a trading post and residency in what would become modern-day Kansas City, and his wife became known by some as "the Mother of Kansas City." The fountain and park commemorate Native Americans who predated the French trader along with the new arrivals of European descent. While the fountain was designed to celebrate Native peoples and settlers alike, it is important to note that the arrival of European settlers set in place a series of events that culminated with tens of thousands of Native Americans in Missouri and eastern Kansas being in a position where they were forced from the area. Starting with treaties and missions in the 1830s, the establishment of the Town of Kansas, the eventual creation of Kansas Territory and the growth of Kansas City, the arrival of French traders started a process that had occurred in St. Louis and other former "frontier" communities. At the same time, it appears the Chouteau family enjoyed a friendly relationship with Native Americans based on trade.

Children's Fountain

Dedicated in 1995, the Children’s Fountain is located in a small, triangular park at the junction of two major thoroughfares in north Kansas City. The 60-foot by 100-foot fountain is one of the largest in the city and features six, larger-than-life bronze sculptures. Sculpted by prominent local artist Tom Corbin, each figure has a personal meaning and captures the joys of childhood as the spraying nozzles around them give the illusion they are skipping through the water.

Northland Fountain

First proposed by civic leader and parks advocate Anita Gorman, the Northland Fountain was dedicated on June 21, 1983. Located in Anita B. Gorman Park, it was the first Kansas City fountain constructed north of the Missouri River. The circular, 80-foot fountain operates year-round, transforming into an ice sculpture in the winter. Given the background behind the efforts to preserve this land as a public space and create a fountain at this location, the project is sometimes referred to as “Spirit of Cooperation,” a title that reflects decades of partnerships and funding by both the public and private sector. The nearly 46-acre park that surrounds the fountain was renamed in honor of Anita Gorman in 1991.

Shoal Creek Parkway Garden Fountain

This large copper garden fountain was installed in 2002 in coordination with the construction of Shoal Creek Parkway. Each of the three large bowls are created from overlapping petal-like blades that are embossed with an abstract pattern. Water spouts from the top in four directions through a spherical cap, and gaps between each petal allow water to trickle down to the succeeding tiers before reaching a limestone-block pool. The pedestal is also embossed and features knob-like protrusions surrounded by a swirling pattern, while leaf-like forms rest under the base of each saucer.

Shoal Creek Golf Course Entry Fountain

Complementing the natural landscape and rolling hills of the Shoal Creek Valley, this fountain at the entrance to Shoal Creek Golf Course was designed by Parks Department landscape architect Dennis McMan. Made of limestone blocks, multiple small waterfalls flow into a shallow pool which is landscaped with a variety of trees, shrubbery, and grasses. This fountain was installed in 2002, the year following the opening of Shoal Creek Golf Course.

This Tour is a Multi-zone Tour.

Fountains of Kansas City Driving Tour

Created by David J. Trowbridge on June 21st 2022, 7:21:50 pm.

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Description

This citywide driving tour shares the story behind the 48 fountains that are operated by Kanas City Parks and Recreation and several other iconic Kansas City fountains. The tour can be experienced in many ways, including a citywide excursion, but is divided into zones to also facilitate the exploration of a specific area of the city without the need to complete the full tour at once. The tour starts in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and winds its way to the Crossroads District, Westport, Country Club Plaza, Swope Park, and then back towards the downtown area all the way to North KC. We will continue to add new information as well as audio clips that share the history behind each fountain and the neighborhoods of Kansas City.

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Fountains of Kansas City Driving Tour

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