American Legion Memorial Drinking Fountain
In 1921 the American Legion installed a large, decorative drinking fountain honoring the WWI deceased on a small island located in the intersection of three streets – 9th Street, Delaware & Main Street.
The pipes supplying the spigots on each side of the shaft burst during the first winter in Kansas City and the fountain was turned off for many years. In 1958, when the city began a downtown redevelopment project, this fountain was moved to the intersection of Van Brunt Boulevard and Budd Park Esplanade. The pedestal fountain consists of a circular base, saucer receptacle and a rectangular shaft which rises to a height of six feet above the base. Four eagles are carved into the corners at the summit. Two bronze plaques illustrate soldiers on one side and sailors on the other. The artist, Robert Merrell Gage, from Topeka, Kansas, taught at Kansas City Art Institute, Washburn University, and in 1924, became Professor of Sculpture at the University of Southern California.
Northwest panel: 40″ x 18-1/2″, bronze bas-relief depicting two full male figures facing the proper left of the panel. The front figure holds artillery shell and wears an undershirt and dungarees with bell bottoms and 13 buttons. A second figure wears a sailor’s uniform and hat, and holds a telescope in his right hand.
Southeast panel: same size, bronze bas relief depicting three figures intent on action, facing the proper left of the panel; the front figure holds his right arm aloft with a grenade; the center figure holds a rifle with the right arm; the third figure is in the background.
The other two sides of the obelisk bear inscriptions carved into the stone. One side reads: “DEDICATED BY KANSAS CITY TO THE AMERICAN LEGION POSTS OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 2, 1921” and lists the 12 local American Legion posts.
The other side displays a quotation from Teddy Roosevelt: “ALL DARING AND COURAGE, ALL IRON, ENDURANCE OR MISFORTUNE, ALL DEVOTION TO THE IDEAL OF HONOR AND GLORY OF THE FLAG MAKES FOR A FINER AND NOBLER TYPE OF HUMANHOOD.”
