Fountain Square, Cincinnati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fountain Square
|
|
|---|---|
|
city square
|
|
 |
|
| Nickname(s):
"The Square"
|
|
| 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 city square in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It was created in 1871 and has been updated several times since, in 1971 and 2005. Today, it's a popular spot with lots of shops, restaurants, hotels, and offices. It's a central gathering place for people in Cincinnati.
Contents
History of Fountain Square
.jpg)
Before Fountain Square was built, an Indian mound stood where the square is now. This was when the first European settlers arrived in the area.
Fountain Square has been a very important place in Cincinnati since 1871. It took the place of an old butcher's market. The square was a gift from a man named Henry Probasco. He gave it in memory of his business partner, Tyler Davidson.
Probasco traveled to Munich, Germany, to find a special memorial. He asked an artist named Ferdinand von Miller to create a bronze fountain. This beautiful fountain was named The Genius of Water.
Originally, the square was like a large island in the middle of Fifth Street. Buildings stood on its north and south sides. In 1971, the square was updated. The fountain was moved a little and turned to face west. The plaza became much bigger because part of 5th Street was removed. Some buildings to the north were also taken down.
The square is a popular spot for people to eat lunch, hold rallies, and have other gatherings. The Fountain can even be seen in the opening credits of the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati.
In the early 2000s, Fountain Square was completely redesigned. This was done to attract more visitors to the city. The goal was to make it a central place for culture and fun. Many buildings around the square were also updated. The famous fountain itself was fully restored and moved to a more central spot in the square.
Tyler Davidson Fountain
After his business partner Tyler Davidson passed away, Cincinnati businessman Henry Probasco wanted to create a special memorial. He went to Munich, Germany, to find the perfect tribute.
Years before, artist August von Kreling and Ferdinand von Miller had designed a fountain at the Royal Bronze Foundry of Bavaria. Probasco asked them to add four figures with animals. These figures would act as drinking fountains. Miller's sons helped design these added parts.
Fun Events at Fountain Square
Fountain Square hosts many exciting events throughout the week. You can find speeches, games, outdoor movies, and concerts there. They also have giveaways and festivals.
The square is home to many seasonal events too. These include Halloween celebrations, a popular ice rink in winter, and Oktoberfest. Cincinnati's Oktoberfest is the largest one held outside of Germany!
In 2010, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the square showed "EcoSculpt 2010." This was an exhibit of sustainable art. One cool sculpture was "Atlas Recycled" by Tom Tsuchiya. It was made from used atlases and also worked as a recycling bin for plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
Fountain Square District
The area around Fountain Square is becoming a major center for restaurants and entertainment. It has many offices, hotels, unique shops, and places to eat.
Major Offices in the District
- Fifth Third Bank Headquarters: The main office for a large bank.
- Macy's, Inc.: The headquarters for the well-known department store.
- U.S. Bancorp: Another important financial company.
- Great American Insurance Group Headquarters: The main office for an insurance company.
- Carew Tower: A tall Art Deco building with offices and a public observation deck. You can go up to see amazing views of the city!
