Fountains in Portland, Oregon facts for kids

Portland, Oregon, is famous for its many public fountains. These aren't just pretty decorations; they offer cool water, places to play, and beautiful art. From simple drinking fountains to grand water displays, Portland's fountains are a special part of the city's charm.

Fountains of Portland: A City of Water Wonders

Benson Bubblers: Free Water for Everyone

A Benson Bubbler on the campus of Portland State University

More than fifty special drinking fountains are found all over downtown Portland. They are called Benson Bubblers. These fountains are named after Simon Benson, who paid for them. They were designed by A. E. Doyle. Benson wanted to make sure people had free, clean drinking water, especially workers.

City Fountains Maintained by Portland Parks

Portland Parks & Recreation takes care of many fountains across Portland. These fountains are found in different parts of the city. They include:

• McCoy Fountain in North Portland.
• Holladay Park Fountain in Northeast Portland.
• Jamison Square Fountain and Horse Trough Fountain in Northwest Portland.
• The Rose Petal in Southeast Portland.

Many other fountains are in Southwest Portland. These include:

• Animals in Pools
• Chiming Fountain
• The Dreamer
• Keller Fountain
• Lovejoy Fountain
• Loyal B. Stearns Memorial Fountain
• Salmon Street Springs
• Shemanski Fountain
• Skidmore Fountain
• Thompson Elk Fountain

The Portland Water Bureau has even created a self-guided walking tour. This tour takes about two hours and covers 2.6 miles. It features twelve fountains in Southwest Portland. You can also extend the tour to see the Jamison Square Fountain.

Meet Some of Portland's Famous Fountains

Here are some of the interesting fountains you can find in Portland:

Name	Artist or Designer	Year Built	What Makes It Special	Image
Animals in Pools	Georgia Gerber	1986	This artwork has ten trough-style fountains. They feature 25 bronze sculptures of animals that live in the Pacific Northwest. These pieces were added in 1986.
Bill Naito Legacy Fountain			This fountain honors Bill Naito, a well-known Portland businessman.
"The Car Wash" (officially Untitled)	Carter, Hull, Nishita, McCulley and Baxter	1977	This unique fountain has a playful design that looks a bit like a car wash.
Chiming Fountain	John "Hans" Staehli	1891	This historic fountain is known for its gentle chiming sounds.
The Dreamer	Manuel Izquierdo	1979	This sculpture fountain encourages quiet thought and imagination.
Fountain to a Rose		1973	A bronze fountain shaped like a rose. It is surrounded by 250 rose bushes.
Jamison Square Fountain			This fountain is popular with kids. Water fills up a shallow pool, then drains away, inviting people to play.
Keller Fountain	Angela Danadjieba (Lawrence Halprin Associates)	1971	This famous fountain looks like a natural waterfall or a series of cliffs. You can walk around and even sit near the rushing water.
Lovejoy Fountain	Lawrence Halprin Associates	1968	This fountain is part of a park designed to look like a mountain stream flowing down to a plain.
Loyal B. Stearns Memorial Fountain	A. E. Doyle & Associates	1941	A memorial fountain with a classic design.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Waterfall Fountain	Will Martin	1983	This fountain is a key feature of Portland's "living room," Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Pioneer Woman	Frederic Littman	1956	This statue shows a standing woman holding a baby. It represents the spirit of pioneer women.
Salmon Street Springs	Robert Perron Landscape Architects	1988	Located on the waterfront, this interactive fountain shoots water high into the air. Its patterns change throughout the day.
Shemanski Fountain (Rebecca at the Well)	Carl L. Linde Oliver Laurence Barrett	1926 (1928)	This beautiful fountain features a figure of Rebecca, a biblical character, at a well.
Skidmore Fountain	Olin Levi Warner	1888	One of Portland's oldest fountains, it was originally built for horses and dogs to drink from.
Teachers Fountain			This fountain is a tribute to teachers.
Thompson Elk Fountain	Roland Hinton Perry	1900	This fountain features a large bronze statue of an elk. It's a well-known landmark in downtown Portland.

Fountains Maintained by the Regional Arts & Culture Council

The Regional Arts & Culture Council also owns or takes care of some fountains in Portland. These often combine art with water.

Name	Artist or Designer	Year Built	What Makes It Special	Image
Fountain for Company H (Second Oregon Company Volunteers)	John H. Beaver	1914	This fountain honors soldiers from Company H of the 2nd Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment who died in the Spanish–American War. It has a drinking fountain under a shell-shaped cover.
Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain	Lee KellyJames Howell	1975	This abstract fountain is made of stainless steel. It was built to honor Frank E. Beach, who gave Portland the nickname "City of Roses" and started the Rose Festival.

Other Notable Fountains in Portland

Here are a few more fountains in Portland that are owned by other groups:

Name	Owner	Artist or Designer	Year Built	What Makes It Special	Image
Charles Frederic Swigert Jr. Memorial Fountain	Metro/Oregon Zoo	Richard Beyer	1983	Located at the Oregon Zoo, this sculpture shows a man talking to a child and several animals, including an ape, lion, and wolves.
Essential Forces	Portland Trail Blazers		1995	This artwork features two stone pillars. They used to shoot out fire, adding a dramatic effect.