Monthly Archives: September 2013
Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain
Location: East 39th Street, Harrison Parkway and Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 21, 2013
An oddly laid out intersection of the three roads indicated above is the location of this fountain. It is set up and away from the street with two winding stairways ending at the fountain. The fountain and the sculpture is dedicated to those who earned the highest recognition in scouting, the Eagle Scout award.
The sculpture was originally part of the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in New York City, as you can read on the plaque, that was saved from being destroyed when the station was razed and donated to the memorial. Originally, a clock was in the center of the sculpture, but was removed and the Eagle Scout badge was put in its place.
Epperson House Wall Fountain
Location: Epperson House, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5200 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 21, 2013
This no longer operational wall fountain can be found at the east end of the Epperson House on the campus of UMKC. Water used to flow out of the lion’s mouth and into the basin below. Epperson House was completed in 1923 and was later donated to UMKC in 1942. It is currently vacant and awaiting renovations. The house has quite a history and there are numerous stories of ghosts and supernatural events occuring in and around the house.
Gift of Life Fountain
Location: Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 21, 2013
On the west side of the Stowers Institute sits this complex and multi-featured fountain. There are fountains, waterfalls, a simulated rapids running through a walking path, a sculpture, an outdoor shelter at the top and pools. The water starts at the top with 5 fountains, cascades down a couple of water falls and then spreads down to the outer reaches of the fountain pools. There is a stone pedestal with the sculpture called “Joie de Vivre” on top of it that is actually a fountain as water flows out the top of the pedestal. The last fountain is in the far west pool.
Easily the most pictures I have taken at one location.
Hillside Fountain
Location: Cleveland Avenue and Blue Parkway, behind the Bruce R. Watkins Heritage Center, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 21, 2013
AKA Bruce R. Watkins Hillside Waterfall.
This large waterfall fountain is on Brush Creek where it runs behind the Bruce R. Watkins Heritage Center. The picture above and the first one below were both taken from the opposite side of Brush Creek. The Brush Creek trails run right by the waterfall and the last two pictures were taken at the base at the path. It is across Brush Creek from the Spirit of Freedom Fountain, the sculpture of which is easily visible from the base of the waterfall.
In order to get to the trail, you will have to cross Cleveland Avenue to the east and follow path down to the creek and walk under the Cleveland Avenue bridge to reach the waterfall. There is someone living under the bridge up near the abutment so don’t be surprised if you hear someone under there.
Eubank Memorial Fountain
Location: Raytown Road and East 59th Street, Raytown
Found: September 21, 2013
These three fountains are found on an island where Raytown Road breaks away from East 59th Street and is across the street from Raytown City Hall. The fountains are tucked in behind landscaping and there is a path around the edge of the island and into the fountain area where the plaque can be found. Unfortunately, only two of the three fountains were working the day I visited.
Women’s Leadership Fountain
Location: The Paseo and East 9th Street, Kansas City, MO
The second fountain built in Kansas City, it was completed in 1899, and its oldest working fountain. After a long period of non-use, it was renovated in three stages, completed in 2003. It is dedicated to 13 women who have made notable contributions to the city and a plaque will be added sometime in the future.
It is located at the north end of the median and faces East 9th. There is really nowhere nearby to park, the nearest actual parking lot is a block north at a grocery store, and it’s a questionable neighborhood, so be careful out there if you’re walking.
William T. Fitzsimons Memorial
Location: The Paseo and East 12th Street, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 21, 2013
This small fountain is part of a memorial dedicated to William T. Fitzsimons, the first American officer to give his life in World War I. The water flows out of a lion’s head and into the limestone basin. The memorial is on the south end of the median on The Paseo at East 12th Street.
Alfred Benjamin Memorial Fountain
Location: Swope Park, Starlight Road and Pavillion Road, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 14, 2013
Northwest of the intersection of Starlight and Pavillion Roads, and across the street from the west parking lot of Starlight Theatre, is this no longer operational drinking fountain in front of a stand of trees. It was dedicated to the memory of Kansas City philanthropist Alfred Benjamin. The sculpture on top shows one man offering a drink to the other. “Charity” is inscribed over the left bench, “humanity” over the right. An inscription dedicated to and describing Mr. Benjamin is above the bowl.
American Legion #2
Location: Battle of Westport Museum, 6601 Swope Parkway, Swope Park, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 14, 2013
This one-time drinking fountain is one of two fountains in Kansas City dedicated by the American Legion in 1921. It is located behind the Battle of Westport museum just north of the Jacob Loose Memorial Flagpole (you can’t miss it, it’s 178 feet tall!). The large bronze plaque depicts American soldiers entering a war-torn French village. The fountain is currently inoperable.
NOTE – The Foundation refers to this one as #2 of the two American Legion fountains and I am following the Foundation’s naming convention.
Harold D. Rice Memorial Fountain
Location: East 71st Terrace and The Paseo, Kansas City, MO
Found: September 14, 2013
In the median of The Paseo just south of the intersection with East 71st Terrace is where this fountain can be found. It is dedicated to Harold D. Rice, who was the founder of the City of Fountains Foundation. There’s a nice little courtyard constructed around the fountain with benches at the north and south ends. Unfortunately, one of the benches on the north end was broken and shows up in a couple of the pictures.
