Skidmore Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Skidmore Fountain
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Skidmore Fountain
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 Location in Portland, Oregon
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| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Sculptor | Olin Levi Warner |
| Part of | Portland Skidmore/Old Town Historic District (ID75001597) |
| Designated CP | December 6, 1975 |
The Skidmore Fountain is a very old and important fountain in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is a special part of the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District, which is a place recognized for its history. This district is even a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's important to the whole country. The fountain itself is also a Portland Historic Landmark. It was fixed up and made new again in 2005.
Why Was the Skidmore Fountain Built?
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The Skidmore Fountain was officially opened on September 22, 1888. It was built to remember Stephen G. Skidmore, who was a rich pharmacist in Portland. He passed away in 1883 and left money in his will to help pay for the fountain.
The famous sculptor Olin Levi Warner designed the fountain. It cost $18,000 to build, and all of this money was given as donations. Mr. Skidmore wanted the fountain to look like the beautiful ones he saw at the Palace of Versailles in France. He saw these during his visit to the 1878 Paris Exposition. He wanted the fountain to provide water for "horses, men and dogs." This shows how important it was to provide water for everyone, including animals, back then.
The Skidmore Fountain is known as Portland's "oldest piece of public art." This means it's the first artwork placed in a public space for everyone to enjoy.
Where Can You Find the Fountain?
The fountain is located in downtown Portland. You can find it near the west end of the Burnside Bridge, at the corner of SW First and Ankeny streets.
The MAX Light Rail train line goes right past the fountain. There's even a train stop nearby called Skidmore Fountain.
When the Portland Saturday Market is open, the area around the fountain becomes a lively place. Street performers entertain crowds, and people gather to watch. The fountain is also a meeting spot for many Portland events.
The bottom part of the fountain has different messages carved into its sides. On the northwest side, there is a quote from C.E.S. Wood. It says: "Good citizens are the riches of a city." This message reminds everyone that good people make a city strong and valuable.
