Support the City of Fountains Foundation

Join the Chouteau and Native American Fountain Founders, in association with the City of Fountains Foundation, in raising funds to continue construction of the Chouteau and Native American Heritage Fountain.

In 1821, the same year that Missouri became a state, Francois Chouteau established the area’s first trading post on the bluffs of the Missouri River. Key partners in commerce were trappers and traders from the Osage and Kanza tribes. As Kansas City celebrates the 200th anniversary of this first trading post, there is a unique opportunity to commemorate the city’s initial roots.

Known as the “City of Fountains,” Kansas City has a tradition of expressing its culture and history through its fountains.
Honor the city’s founding father and Native Americans who traded there by donating now!

Renowned sculptor, and Kansas City resident, Kwan Wu was commissioned to create magnificent, larger-than-life sculptures for the Chouteau Heritage Fountain. Landworks Studio headed the design team that has expertly re-created authentic period surroundings leading to and around the river-like water feature and waterfall.

The fountain will send water tumbling over eight-foot tall limestone river rocks while mist jets will generate a gentle fog rising above the “river.” Three majestic statues will be perched atop the bluffs depicting a trade encounter. Another scene of a trapper in action will be positioned beside the river walkway.

The site will include an open plaza area for groups or classes to gather and there will be an bus drop-off area for safe loading and unloading. All of the main features will be illuminated to ensure excellent visibility of the fountain at night.

It is located on the west side of Chouteau Parkway south of Interstate 35 and north of Parvin Road, nestled along the Chouteau Greenway near the Chouteau Rain Gardens. The statues and fountain will be a permanent monument that recreates the river bluffs where Rock Creek and the Missouri River converged.