The Women's Leadership Fountain

The Women’s Leadership Fountain at The Paseo and East 9th Street is Kansas City’s oldest working fountain and the second fountain built in the city’s historic system. Designed by George Kessler and John Van Brunt and completed in 1899, it anchors the “City of Fountains” identity that defines Kansas City.

History

Completed in 1899 as part of George Kessler’s vision for the parks and boulevards system, the fountain was the second public fountain constructed in Kansas City. It reflects the City Beautiful Movement’s emphasis on civic beauty, green space, and monumental water features.

After a long period of disuse, the basin was excavated and repaired in 1970. In 1989 the Central Exchange led a fundraising effort for partial restoration and gave the fountain its current name, “The Women’s Leadership Fountain,” to honor women’s contributions to Kansas City. Additional funds from the sale of city property completed a fuller restoration by 2003. Plans were noted to add names of thirteen women with notable KC contributions.

The fountain sits in the Historic Northeast / Paseo corridor, a key segment of the original Kessler plan.

Sculptor / designer

George Kessler (landscape architect and planner responsible for KC’s parks and boulevard system) collaborated with architect John Van Brunt on the design. The limestone structure is a product of the early Kessler-era fountains that helped establish Kansas City’s national reputation as the “City of Fountains.”

Architecture + materials

Limestone basin and superstructure in a classical style suited to the boulevard setting. The fountain integrates water display with the surrounding park-like environment of The Paseo.

Current status

The fountain is operational and recognized as the oldest working fountain in the Kansas City system. It participates in civic fountain traditions including Fountain Day activations.

Cultural significance

As the second fountain in the system and the oldest still functioning, it is a foundational piece of Kansas City’s “City of Fountains” brand and Kessler’s enduring parks legacy. The 1989 naming as the Women’s Leadership Fountain explicitly ties it to recognition of women’s civic leadership in KC. It sits on The Paseo, one of the signature elements of the original boulevard plan.

Visiting

• Address: The Paseo and E 9th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
• Best time to visit: Daylight hours; check for seasonal activations and Fountain Day events.
• Public access: Free, public park setting.

Sources