The J.C. Nichols Company purchased two 300-year-old marble mermaids from Italy and installed the Mermaid Fountain on the Plaza in 1930. The mermaids stand at the fountain's edge, blowing into a conch shell while water flows from the shell into the center of the pool. The circular water feature and bronze figure were added after the pool was remodeled into its current trefoil shape in 1968, replacing the previous rectangular pool.
Within the fountain pool is this miniature bronze sculpture known as “A Morning Prayer.”, which is picturesque of a child clutching a coin to its chest.. Coins that are tossed into the pool are donated to a local children's hospital. The fountain was installed and dedicated in 1930.
This cloverleaf-shaped fountain has two marble mermaids seated at the edges, each blowing into conch shells out of which water flows down. The white marble mermaids were acquired from Italy and are said to be made from the 17th century.
This is 1 of about 200 registered fountains throughout Kansas City, which has been rightfully dubbed "The City of Fountains" since there are more fountains found here in the K.C. metro area than anywhere else in the world, even Kauffman Stadium's "Water Spectacular" is the biggest fountain not only in Kansas City, but all other sports venues.
Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64112, United States
