Country Club Plaza
Many of Kansas City’s most famous fountains and sculptures are found on the Country Club Plaza, one of the nation’s first suburban shopping districts and a veritable outdoor museum of Romantic Spanish architecture and European art.
It’s not uncommon to see a just-married bride and groom or a group of prom dates posing near the fountain at Mill Creek Park, a signature landmark. Formerly known as the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, this grand water sculpture features four heroic horsemen representing four of the world’s mightiest rivers: the Mississippi, the Volga, the Seine, and the Rhine. Additionally, four smaller figures of children play on fish but are often referred to as dolphins.
The Plaza’s first fountain, “Boy and Fish Fountain,” was installed at 47th Street and J. C. Nichols Parkway in 1923, but it was moved to 79th Street and The Paseo in 1968.
From the 8,000-pound cast lead Mythological fountain sculpture Neptune, the Roman God of the Sea, roaring through turbulent waters, or the Fountain of Bacchus surrounded by nymphs and satyrs, to sculptures of Benjamin Franklin and the life-sized, bronze Monkey Business sculpture, the craftsmanship and presentation of these works of art make Kansas City what it is today.
Country Club Plaza Fountains
Aleman Court Fountain
This fountain was named after then-President of Mexico Miguel Aleman, who visited Kansas City as part of the first ever state visit of a Mexican president to the United States.
Aleman Court Fountain
Allen Memorial Fountain
Imported from Italy, this fountain was dedicated in 1962 to the daughter and son-in-law of the late Jesse Clyde Nichols, Earl and Eleanor Nichols Allen, who died in a house fire.
Allen Memorial Fountain
April
A preschooler’s spirit of discovery is captured in this bronze of a young girl watering her bouquet of three flowers in her left hand.e ultimate sacrifice.
April
Boy and Frog
In front of Starbucks and near the intersection of Nichols Road and Central Street is the location for this amusing little fountain. It is an original work by Raffaello Romanelli. It was purchased for the Plaza in 1928 by John C. Taylor, who was the Chairman of the Board for the J.C. Nichols Company.ic cliff side setting.
Boy and Frog
Brush Creek Fountains
Flooding of Brush Creek had long tormented the Plaza area. To correct the problem, a major project was undertaken. The improvements were both utile and beautifying. In Brush Creek at Country Club Plaza, three large geysers were installed.
Brush Creek Fountains
Children at Play Fountain
Two children stand astride the head of a bearded man or God holding a jug of water between them and letting the water pour out. A third child is bending over and playing with the man’s nose.
Children at Play Fountain
Court of Lions East Fountain
Court of Lions East Fountain – 404 Error
Court of the Penguins Fountains
In Country Club Plaza, these bronze penguins reside in the Court of the Penguins on Nichols Road between Pennsylvania Avenue and Jefferson Street. They are in the center of the courtyard and are flanked by fountains to the east and west.
Court of the Penguins Fountains
Diana
The Diana here is actually a replica of a 1912 sculpture by the Bromsgrove Guild of Warwickshire, which was cast in lead. This Diana was cast in bronze by artist Bernhard Zuckerman, who received a commission in 1970 for this work from the J.C. Nichols Company, the original owner of the hotel.
Diana
Diane: Sitting
This life-size bronze by Richard McDermott Miller depicts a nude woman seated on a high stool or pedestal. She seems to be contemplating her situation and the triangular pool and fountains that surround her.
Diane: Sitting
Fountain of Bacchus
Located on the east side of the Country Club Plaza inside the Cheesecake Factory’s outdoor dining area, Chandler Court is home to the Fountain of Bacchus. Originally cast of lead between 1912-1914, its home was on the Moreton Estate in Warwickshire, England, also a fountain centerpiece.
Fountain of Bacchus
Four Fauns Fountain
Nestled into a quaint little courtyard near Nichols Road and Broadway is the Four Fauns Fountain. Accompanied by wooden benches inlaid with colorful Spanish tile, Plaza guests gather around the fountain to take a break from shopping and site-seeing. The trickling sounds of water spatting across the pool are relaxing and tranquil.
Four Fauns Fountain
Mermaid Fountain
The mermaids were acquired in Italy by the J.C. Nichols Company and reportedly more than 300 years old. In the middle of the pool is a fountain ring. Centered in the middle of the ring is a small bronze sculpture of a kneeling child known as “A Morning Prayer” by an unknown artist.
Mermaid Fountain
Mill Creek Park Fountain
The Mill Creek Park fountain is the best known and most photographed of all of Kansas City’s fountains. On any televised event from Kansas City, you can count on seeing a shot or footage of this fountain at some point. It sits at the south end of Mill Creek Park on the east side of Country Club Plaza.
Mill Creek Park Fountain
Neptune
Installed in the 1950s, the Roman god of the sea moves in his chariot pulled by three attributes, the trident, the dolphin, and sea horse.
Neptune
Pomona Fountain
A Plaza Courtyard is the setting of Pomona, the Roman Goddess, and protector of vineyards and orchards. This fountain was imported from Italy and installed in 1969.ere Kansas City architects.
Pomona Fountain
Seville Light Fountain
On the east edge of Country Club Plaza and across the street from the Mill Creek Park fountain is a triangular traffic island on which sits the Seville Light Fountain. Sculptor Bernhard Zuckerman was commissioned to create an exact replica of the Plaza de Los Reyes Fountain in Seville, Spain. Seville is one of Kansas City’s sister cities and this fountain was dedicated in honor of that relationship.