Fountain Square, Cincinnati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fountain Square
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City square
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| Nickname(s):
"The Square"
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| Founded | 1871 |
| Elevation | 482 ft (147 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 513 |
| Website | http://www.myfountainsquare.com |
Fountain Square is a lively public space in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It was created in 1871 and has been updated several times, most recently in 2005. Today, it's a popular spot with many shops, restaurants, hotels, and offices all around it. It's a great place for people to gather and have fun!
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History of Fountain Square
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Long ago, an ancient mound stood where Fountain Square is now, before the first settlers arrived.
Fountain Square has been a very important place in Cincinnati since 1871. It was built where a butcher's market used to be. A kind businessman named Henry Probasco gave the square to the city. He wanted it to be a memorial to his business partner and brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson.
Probasco traveled all the way to Munich, Germany. There, he asked an artist named Ferdinand von Miller to create a special bronze fountain. This beautiful fountain was named The Genius of Water.
Originally, Fountain Square was like a big island in the middle of Fifth Street. It had buildings on both sides, similar to nearby Piatt Park. In 1971, the square was updated. The fountain was moved a little, and the plaza (the open area) was made much bigger. This was done by closing part of 5th Street and removing some buildings. People use the square for lunch, meetings, and other events.
You might have even seen the fountain in the opening of the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati!
In the early 2000s, Fountain Square got another big makeover. The goal was to make it even more welcoming and a central spot for culture and fun in the city. The famous fountain was carefully restored and placed in an even better spot in the middle of the square. Many buildings around the square have also been updated.
The Tyler Davidson Fountain
The Tyler Davidson Fountain is the beautiful centerpiece of Fountain Square. After his brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson, passed away, Henry Probasco wanted to create a special memorial. He went to Munich, Germany, to find the perfect design.
Years before, an artist named August von Kreling and Ferdinand von Miller had designed a fountain together. Probasco asked them to add four figures with animals that would also work as drinking fountains. Miller's sons helped design these extra parts.
Fun Events at the Square
Fountain Square is always buzzing with activity! Throughout the week, you can find many events happening. These include speeches, games, outdoor movies, and concerts. There are also giveaways and fun festivals.
The square hosts many special events during different seasons. For example, there's Halloween on the Square, an ice rink in winter, and Oktoberfest (which is one of the biggest outside of Germany!).
In 2010, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the square had an art show called "EcoSculpt 2010." This show featured art made from recycled materials. One cool sculpture was "Atlas Recycled" by Tom Tsuchiya. It was made from old atlases and even worked as a recycling bin for plastic bottles and aluminum cans!
Fountain Square District
The area around Fountain Square is becoming a very popular place for food and entertainment. It has many offices, hotels, unique shops, and delicious restaurants.
Some of the important offices located here include:
- Fifth Third Bank Headquarters
- Macy's, Inc.
- U.S. Bancorp
- Great American Insurance Group Headquarters
- Carew Tower — a tall Art Deco building with offices and a public viewing deck.
See also
