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 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. Why? Kansas City has more fountains than any other city in the world, except maybe Rome. The exact number of fountains is not known as new public and private fountains are added regularly. But, the City of Fountains Foundation, which keeps the only known database of Kansas City fountains at www.kcfountains.org, currently lists more than 200 fountains that flow in Kansas City.
Kansas City's love affair with fountains may have to do with the importance of water to the city's development. The city is located where the Kansas and Missouri rivers meet and many arrived in Kansas City by steamboat to begin their overland journeys west. Water, or the ability to get over it, was also important in the city's growth. Kansas City was the first city to build a railroad bridge over the Missouri River (the Hannibal Bridge in 1869), ensuring that Kansas City would become the major city in the region.
The city's first fountains date back to the late 1800s and had a purely practical purpose. They were erected over springs by the Humane Society to provide clean drinking water for animals (In 1910, the horse population of Kansas City was estimated at 70,000!). Over the years, Kansas City's fountains have become a cherished public art form, erupting with magnificent symphonies of water, light and sculpture. In fact, as early as 1898, the public's interest in fountains had grown to such a degree that Kansas City Wire and Iron Works was listed in the city directory under "Fountains."
Today, it's sort of an unwritten policy that a fountain of some fashion be incorporated into the design of major new public or commercial building projects. Many projects now under construction have taken this to heart including a fountain in the Power & Light District, a water feature in the public art installation outside the Sprint Center arena and a fountain that operates year-round at The Legends at Village West.
Kansas City's fountains come to life each year on Kansas City Fountain Day. This year, that date is April 1.
So, with more than 200 fountains to see before the weather turns cold again, its time to discover the City of Fountains.
#KC#
Photo Credit: Photos Courtesy of the Kansas City Convention
& Visitors Association
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Children's Fountain
Caption: The Children's Fountain is one of more than 200 fountains in the Kansas City area. This image is not available for download.
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Country Club Plaza, Giralda Tower and Nichols Fountain
Caption: Giralda Tower at the Country Club Plaza is a half-size replica of the Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain.
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J.C. Nichols Fountain
Caption: The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain at the Country Club Plaza is one of the most photographed fountains in the city.
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Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium
Caption: The Kansas City Royals play more than 80 home games each year at Kauffman Stadium.
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Kemper Memorial Fountain
Caption: The Kemper Memorial Fountain at 10th & Main is modeled after the Rozzelle Court fountain at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This image is not available for download.
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Legends at Village West
Caption: This booming shopping district near Kansas Speedway is home to more than 100 shops and restaurants. This image is not available for download.
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Muse of Missouri Fountain
Caption: Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains with more than 200 fountains including the Muse of Missouri Fountain in downtown KC.
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