More Public Fountains than anywhere but Rome
Home to more outdoor fountains than any city in the country, Kansas City began its tradition of fountains for practical reasons: Water was a major factor in the growth of Kansas City. Kansas City was founded in 1821 when Missouri became a state, and from the very beginning, water fountains were a defining feature of the city.
As the place where the Missouri River meets the Kansas River, Kansas City was a common launch point for settlers going to the West during the American Expansion. Kansas City was also the first city to build a railroad bridge that crossed the Missouri River, a water-related accomplishment that helped the city grow tremendously.
In the late 1800s, the Humane Society of Kansas City began constructing water fountains over naturally occurring springs to provide both humans and animals with readily available sources of clean water. In 1899, the city constructed its first outdoor fountain as part of a larger plan for parks and boulevards in the city. This first water fountain was part of a larger plan for the design of Kansas City. It was the stated aspiration of the early city leaders to create a beautiful city whose boulevards would rival Paris and whose outdoor water fountains would rival Rome. Focusing on the building of pubic water fountains proved to be an excellent way for the city to reference its water-based origin while beautifying the surrounding areas.
Kansas City has yet to top Rome in the count of water fountains, but garden fountains have very much become a part of what distinguishes Kansas City from other cities. Although it is not mandatory, it is expected that any major new construction will include a decorative fountain. There is a city-wide interest in whichever new fountain is being built. As a public art form, the fountains have become a point of particular city pride. Although the list is constantly growing, there are now over 200 public outdoor fountains in Kansas City. There is also a vast number of personal backyard garden fountains found in dwellings all around the city.
Although the amount of fountains is a point of city pride, it is also the artistry and execution of the different fountains that truly makes this “The City of Fountains.” There are a wide number of artistic movements and historical periods replicated in the city’s fountains. Some water and wall fountains are references to other famous fountains in Europe, while others draw from important local historical events and others reflect modern design concepts.
The outdoor fountains of Kansas City begin to flow each year on “Greater Kansas City Day.” This date is determined by the day of the Royals (Kansas City’s Major League Baseball team) first home game. There are a number of guide books and also organized walking tours that show visitors to Kansas City some of the best and most famous fountains.