Meyer Circle Seahorse Fountain

Purchased by J. C. Nichols in Venice, Italy in the early 1920s – the sculpture dates back to the 1700s – the fountain is named for the three mythological seahorses perched atop the stone pyramid. The horses support a fluted saucer which has a carved lion’s head which spouts water as the saucer fills. The middle tier has three cherubs holding an identical smaller saucer. On top of that saucer is a sculpture of another cherub holding a fish with water coming out of the fish’s mouth. The original statue had a child riding a dolphin, but vandalism forced the Park Board to change to the saucer top in 1960. The sculpture is atop a stone base approx. 30′ high. The entire fountain and statuary were refurbished in 1992.

In 2015, this fountain was taken out of service when continual flooding into the vault containing its pump and electrical equipment rendered it inoperable. Funds for the million-dollar renovations were raised in part by the City of Fountains Foundation and a neighborhood alliance headed by David Fowler. The fountain was repaired and now boasts a new vault, new plumbing, new lighting, and a repaired basin.