Probasco Fountain
Also known as: See Also:Clifton Ave Historic District
Why it's listed
Standing on the west side of Clifton Avenue at Woolper Avenue in Cincinnati, this 1887 fountain is a public drinking fountain about ten feet high. A single thick, fluted column rises to a mushroom-like cap and sends a stream of water roughly a foot into the air. Water drips from the cap into a catch basin halfway down, then into a small pool at the base. The design served several users: a small cup for birds, the basin for people, the pool for horses and the run-off for dogs. An inscription reads "Henry Probasco, to the People of Clifton, 1887," followed by "I was Thirsty and Ye Gave Me Drink." Probasco also gave Cincinnati the Tyler Davidson fountain. Samuel Hannaford & Sons designed the pedestal and base. The fountain is owned by the City of Cincinnati and sits in a mostly residential area of mixed buildings. It was listed as part of a group of Hannaford works and contributes to the character of Clifton Avenue.
Significance in brief: The fountain was a gift from Henry Probasco to the people of Clifton, who also gave Cincinnati the Tyler Davidson fountain. Its pedestal and base were designed by Samuel Hannaford & Sons, and it is included among that firm's works. It contributes to the character of Clifton Avenue and its surroundings.
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 80003077, listed March 3, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Clifton Ave., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | March 3, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003077 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Hannaford & Sons (designed the pedestal and base) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior condition listed as good; owned by the City of Cincinnati and visible from a public road. |
| Within district | Clifton Avenue Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.15054, -84.51845 (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 80003077.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716789
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.