List of fountains in the Kansas City metropolitan area facts for kids

J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, a beautiful artwork from 1910, now in Kansas City.

Muse of the Missouri, a statue found downtown.

Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain, located in front of Union Station.

Children's Fountain, a fun spot by Tom Corbin.

Volker Fountain, a 28-foot (8.5 m) tall waterfall along Brush Creek.

Fountain of Bacchus, with a main sculpture weighing 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg).

Firefighters' Fountain, honoring brave firefighters.

Northland Fountain, a landmark in the northern part of the city.

Crown Center Square Fountain during the holidays.

Crown Center Square Fountain, known for its "Dancing Waters" shows.

Meyer Circle ("Seahorse") Fountain, featuring a 17th-century sculpture.

Waterworks Spectacular, a cool feature at Kauffman Stadium.

Fountains sparkling in Brush Creek.

Mermaid Fountain, a charming spot in The Plaza.

A fountain at the Liberty Memorial.

Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, honoring veterans.

Neptune Fountain, featuring the Roman god of the sea.

Northeast Concourse Fountain, located on St. John Avenue.

An interesting auto dealership "car fountain".

Kansas City is famous for its many beautiful fountains! It's even called the "City of Fountains." This special nickname was added to the city's official seal in 1992. The idea of having many fountains started in the late 1800s. Back then, people built fountains to provide clean drinking water for everyone, including animals. Today, these fountains are a big part of Kansas City's culture and identity.

Why Kansas City Loves Fountains

Fountains are a key part of Kansas City's look and feel. You can even see a fountain design in the city's official logo! People became very interested in fountains around the 1890s, during a time called the "City Beautiful movement." This movement aimed to make cities more attractive and pleasant with parks, boulevards, and beautiful public art like fountains.

Early Fountains: More Than Just Pretty

The very first fountains in Kansas City were mostly for practical uses, not just for decoration. In 1898, a landscape architect named George Kessler designed the city's first fountain at 15th and The Paseo. He also designed The Women's Leadership Fountain, which is the oldest fountain in the city, located at 9th Street and The Paseo.

Around 1904, the Humane Society of Kansas City built special fountains. These fountains had water flowing from lion's mouths for people to drink. The water then fell into a granite basin for horses, and the overflow went into smaller pools for dogs. This helped make sure everyone had access to clean water. The Humane Society built over 100 such fountains!

Decorative Fountains Become Popular

In the 1920s, fountains became much more decorative. This happened after a developer named J.C. Nichols used many beautiful fountains in his Country Club Plaza development.

One of the most famous fountains in Kansas City is the Mill Creek Fountain, also known as the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain. Its sculptures were made by a French artist named Henri-Léon Gréber in 1910. The four large horse statues are said to represent four famous rivers: the Mississippi, Volga, Seine, and Rhine. Around the main statues, you can see sculptures of children riding dolphins, which makes the fountain even more playful.

Unique and Famous Fountains

Kansas City is home to many unique fountains, each with its own story.

• William Volker Memorial Fountain: This fountain features the last sculptures created by a Swedish artist named Carl Milles. It shows Saint Martin of Tours on horseback, sharing his clothes with a beggar. You can also spot two angels and a small, curious demon hiding nearby! This fountain has two pools and a dramatic 28-foot (8.5 m) waterfall.

• Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain: This fountain has an interesting past. It was originally part of a clock from the old Pennsylvania Station in New York City. When the station was taken down, Kansas City asked to have the clock sculpture. They then replaced the clock face with a tribute to Eagle Scouts.

• Waterworks Spectacular: If you've ever been to a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium, you might have seen the "Waterworks Spectacular." For over 30 years, this fountain has been dousing the outfield with water during games, adding to the excitement!