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History of Kansas City Fountains

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The inspiration for our fountains came from the city that has the most fountains in the world: Rome. It all started with Kansas City native Harold Rice and a trip to Rome. While sitting next to his wife and admiring the famous Trevi Fountain, he had the idea that started it all. What would happen if we brought this culture of fountains to Kansas City? Upon his return home, he wasted no time pursuing his dream. Harold founded the City of Fountains Association in 1973. While Kansas City already had quite a few fountains, this marked the first effort to grow and maintain our current fountains.

            But the biggest explosion of fountain growth happened in the beginning of the 20th century on the Plaza. The first fountain to be placed there was topped with a boy and fish. The fountain has since been relocated to 79th & Paseo, but the boy and fish have disappeared.

            J. C. Nichols was so instrumental in creating the fountains and architecture in Kansas City that one of our most iconic fountains is named after him. Located at 47th & J. C. Nichols Parkway, this fountain was sculpted by Henri Greber in 1910 and bought by the Nichols family, refurbished and dedicated in 1960. The four horsemen are said to represent the four rivers of the world. The Mississippi is represented by an Indian, the Volga is represented with a bear, while the Seine and Rhine horses are on the east and west sides. This winter the statues were removed for the fountain’s first major renovation in more than 50 years.

            Nichols isn’t the only person honored with a fountain, however. The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fountain, located at Broadway & 42nd St., portrays the differing opinions of this time by creating two pools of water and featuring a backdrop with the names of 451 casualties. This elegant fountain is not as well known but still is a must-see.

            I would be amiss if I didn’t include one of the fountains that honors our public servants. The Firefighters Fountain is located at West 31st St. & Broadway and is a beautiful memorial that features two bronze firefighters looking over an 80-foot-wide basin. This memorial was built specifically to honor the six firefighters killed in an explosion in 1988.

The Liberty Courtyard Fountain is another must-see fountain. Located at 101 E. Kansas St. in Liberty, it features cascading water that spills into a beautiful infinity pool. It was dedicated to the city of Liberty in 1989. One of our most beautiful natural fountains is in Mill Creek Sanctuary. This eco water garden features two natural waterfalls and is home to many water-loving birds. There is even an overlook on the east side that allows you watch the wildlife.

            Do you need something bigger to wow you? Kansas City has you covered. The Shirley Bush Helzberg Fountain at Starlight Theatre in Swope Park features 10 cascades of water, 20-foot-tall pillars, and measures 180 feet long.

             Don’t forget about the kids either. While Crown Center now bans playing in the fountains, Kansas City is home to many spraygrounds to keep your kids cool this spring and summer. Loose Park (52nd Ter. & Summit St.) has a beautiful sprayground guaranteed to keep your children entertained during the warm weather. Long View Tract (7101 Longview Rd.) and Blue Valley Park (Blue Valley Parks Rd. E. & 23rd St.) are just a couple of the other spraygrounds in the Kansas City area for you and your kids to enjoy.

             Turns out it’s actually hard to keep track of how many fountains we have in Kansas City, as we are always adding new ones, and there is no way to really track ones that are privately owned. At last count though, Kansas City is home to more than 200 fountains that we know of. Impressive, considering that Rome, with its roots in antiquity, has approximately 280 fountains!

KC Fountain Trivia

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