Fountain Square, Cincinnati

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fountain Square is a city square in Cincinnati. Founded in 1871, it was renovated in 1971 and 2005 and currently features many shops, restaurants, hotels, and offices.

Fountain Square
Skyline of Fountain Square
Nickname: "The Square"
Coordinates: 39°8′10″N 84°30′11″W / 39.13611, -84.50306
Country United States
State Ohio
Founded 1871
Elevation 482 ft (147 m)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
Area code(s) 513
Website: http://www.myfountainsquare.com

Contents

[edit] History

The Cincinnati Fountain Square is home to the famous Tyler Davidson Fountain.
The Cincinnati Fountain Square is home to the famous Tyler Davidson Fountain.

Fountain Square has been the symbolic center of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States since 1871. The square, which replaced a butcher's market, was a gift from Henry Probasco in memory of Tyler Davidson. Probasco traveled to Munich and commissioned a bronze allegorical fountain from Ferdinand von Mueller named The Genius of Water that symbolizes the uses of water, both natural and man-made. A 1971 renovation of the square included slightly moving and re-orienting the square to the west, and enlarging the scale of the plaza to reflect that of new buildings around it. It is used for lunch-breaks, rallies, and other gatherings.

The Fountain can be seen in the opening credits on WKRP in Cincinnati

Fountain Square's new logo.
Fountain Square's new logo.

In the early 2000s, the square was completely renovated and re-designed by 3cdc to attract more visitors to the city, and to serve as a cultural/recreational hub for the city. In addition to the renovations, many buildings in and around the Fountain Square district are currently being renovated and redesigned to revitalize the region. The Fountain itself was completely restored.

[edit] Tyler Davidson Fountain

Main article: Tyler Davidson Fountain

After the death of his brother-in-law and business partner Tyler Davidson, Cincinnati businessman Henry Probasco went to Munich, Germany in search of a suitable memorial to him. Many years before, artist August von Kreling had collaborated with Ferdinand von Mueller at the Royal Bronze Foundry of Bavaria to design a fountain to rival the great fountains of Europe but which would glorify mankind rather than fanciful creatures and gods of mythology. When Mueller could find no patron to sponsor the fountain, the designs languished until Probasco came to him with an interest in a similar theme. Probasco requested the addition of four figures with animals that would act as drinking fountains, which Mueller's sons designed.

[edit] Features

Winter '06, renovation continues.
Winter '06, renovation continues.
  • the renovated Tyler Davidson Fountain
  • Four Senses Planter Boxes: planters that tourists can listen, touch, look, and smell
  • free Wi-Fi.
  • a new/renovated Fountain Square Garage
  • new granite tiling that resembles woven fabric
  • a seasonal ice skating rink as large as the famous Rockefeller Centerrink in NYC
  • a new/dynamic landscape,
  • better lighting and sound design,
  • Restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options
  • two new stages,
  • a new 24'x42' high-resolution video board that rests on top of Macy's
  • a new interactive water wall in the children's area.
  • more downtown Ambassadors

[edit] Events

Fountain square has many events all through the week including speeches, games, movies, concerts, giveaways, and festivals. The square also has many seasonal events such as Halloween on the square, the ice rink, Oktoberfest (largest outside of Germany)[citation needed] and more.

[edit] Fountain Square District

The Fountain Square District is becoming a restaurant and entertainment hub. It contains many offices, hotels, specialty shops and includes signature restaurants that are not found anywhere else in Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky.

Dining:


Retail:


Hotels:

Office:

[edit] See also

Tyler Davidson Fountain,

WKRP in Cincinnati

[edit] External links

[edit] References