Davidson, Tyler, Fountain
Why it's listed
Rising forty-three feet above Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati, this bronze fountain was unveiled on October 6, 1871, before a crowd of more than twenty thousand. Businessman Henry Probasco gave it to the city in memory of his partner and brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson. Ferdinand Von Miller cast it in Munich from designs by August von Kreling, using a bronze cannon purchased from the Danish government. A nine-foot Genius of Water crowns the piece, with figures and reliefs showing the domestic, commercial and recreational uses of water. The nomination calls it the first public fountain of its kind in the United States and the first to dispense ice-cooled drinking water. It was moved slightly and rotated in 1969 to suit the new plaza, then restored and rededicated in 1971. It remains a gathering place for ceremonies, holiday observances and spontaneous celebrations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the fountain is an outstanding work of public art, notable for its design, casting quality, and original theme of the uses and benefits of water. It was described as the first public fountain of its kind in the United States and the first to dispense ice-cooled drinking water. It has also long served as the civic focal point of Cincinnati, and was the gift of Henry Probasco in memory of Tyler Davidson.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79001854, listed October 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5th St., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | October 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001854 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1867-1871 |
| Architect / builder | Ferdinand Von Miller/August Kreling |
| Areas of significance | Art, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved northwest and turned 180 degrees in 1969 for the new Fountain Square plaza; restored in 1971 and rededicated October 16, 1971. Publicly owned and accessible. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 39.10139, -84.51208 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79001854.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q524801
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.