Fountains not only look attractive but can offer a great place to cool off when the weather gets too hot. From quaint and historic to something more grand and stunning, here are the best fountains in Portland, Oregon…
1. Benson Bubbler – a distinctive and locally famous historic drinking fountain in a candelabra shape
The Benson Bubbler stands almost like a 4-part candelabra and is made of bronze.
This is not just your ordinary public drinking fountain. It will be worth visiting so you can learn the historical background behind the fountain. It was named after Simon Benson, who was a philanthropist and businessman in Portland’s 20th century history.
He donated $10,000 to have 20 fountains installed throughout the area and A.E. Doyle was the architect behind the design.
You can visit the Benson Bubbler in Chapman Square of Downtown Portland any day of the week from 6 am to 11 pm.
Address: 301-363 SW Madison St, Portland, OR 97204
Phone Number: (503) 823-7404
2. Ira Keller Fountain Park – one of the most beautiful fountains spot in Portland
The Ira Keller Fountain measures close to 1 acre and opened in 1970 across from Third Avenue which was known as the Civic Auditorium at the time.
The park is named after Ira Keller who was a 20th century civic leader and the first to chair the Portland Development Commission from 1958-1972.
You will be in awe of the San Franciscan-style architecture and Ira Keller Fountain (formerly known as the Forecourt Fountain) that cycles over 13,000 gallons of water in a minute.
Stationed in Downtown Portland, you can visit Ira Keller Fountain from 5 am to 9 pm daily.
Address: SW 3rd Ave &, SW Clay St, Portland, OR 97201
Phone Number: (503) 823-2223
3. Bill Naito Legacy Fountain – beautiful fountain that offers spectacular dancing water jets
The Bill Naito Legacy Fountain always runs during the spring and summer season, but it stays off when Portland’s Saturday Market is open every weekend.
It’s worth a visit to the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain to see the dedicated poem to Portland immigrants that is etched within the fountain’s steps. During in-season months from spring through fall from 6:30 am to 8 pm daily, little ones, big kids, and adults alike can enjoy the splash pad near the fountain.
Located in Southwest Portland at the Waterfront Park nearby Burnside Bridge, visit the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain any time of the day!
Address: 2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
Phone Number: N/A
4. Salmon Street Springs – a lovely fountain to let children run around to cool off
Salmon Street Springs, otherwise known as Salmon Street Fountain, Robert Parron Landscape Architects and Planners designed the fountain back in 1988.
You will love seeing this fountain because there are 185 jets total and water can shoot out from the computer-controlled display from 137 jets simultaneously. The display holds almost 5,000 gallons of water that is distributed throughout the jets repeatedly while it’s turned on.
Located in the Tom McCall Waterpark of Downtown Portland, you can visit Salmon Street Springs daily from 5 am to midnight.
Address: 1000 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
Phone Number: (503) 823-7529
5. Holladay Park Fountain – a great place for a picnic whilst admiring a charming fountain
Holladay Park Fountain is inside the 4.54-acre Holladay Park that originated in 1870.
This park features not only the beautiful fountain, but also works of art, picnic tables, and paved pathways for a nice walk for yourself or with family and friends during the spring and summer.
Little ones can enjoy the interactive fountain because it also functions as a splash pad in the spring and summer months.
Holladay Park Fountain can be found in the Lloyd district of Northeast Portland. The daily operating hours are 5 am to midnight.
Address: NE Holladay St & NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Phone Number: (503) 823-7529
6. Skidmore Fountain – historic fountain located in oldtown Portland
Olin Levi Warner designed the Skidmore Fountain and it originated in 1888. C.E.S. Wood’s quote, “Good Citizens Are the Riches Of a City” is etched within the fountain’s structure. The fountain itself is known as the oldest art in the area.
Historical background is the reasoning for paying a visit to this fountain. Skidmore Fountain is named after the Skidmore/Old Town District and is a national historical landmark.
Stephen Skidmore was a druggist who left $5,000 in his will for a fountain to be designed for dogs, horses, and men to drink from in the community.
Located in the Old Town District in Southwest Portland, you can visit Skidmore Fountain any time of the day throughout the week.
Address: W Burnside St & Ankeny, Portland, OR 97204
Phone Number: (503) 823-7404
7. Teachers Fountain – a unique symbolic fountain dedicated to honor teachers with arching jets and a shallow pool
Teachers Fountain is dedicated to teachers and educators that inspire others to learn and grow, not only in the Portland community, but everywhere else.
You will love a visit to Teachers Fountain because of its spirited, yet fancy display of how the water projects out of the ground. Eight jets propel the water in one direction as eight burbles move the water.
The water in its pool is sanitized before being recycled into these jets and burbles, but the public cannot interact with the fountain. It can only be viewed.
Teachers Fountain can be viewed in Downtown Portland any time of the day throughout the week.
Address: 815 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone Number: (503) 823-7529
8. Lovejoy Fountain Park – a tranquil fountain perfect to spend some quality time in an urban area
Lovejoy Fountain Park originated in 1963 and measures 1.1 acres. Asa Lawrence Lovejoy is the person in which the park was named after. He was one of the first people to own this townsite. The concrete plaza fountain is like a large waterfall you would see near the mountains.
It will be worth visiting here because of the historical background behind the park. Lovejoy and Francis Pettygrove decided whether the area would be named Portland or Boston based on coinflip.
Today, Lovejoy Fountain Park and Pettygrove Park are known as the urban renewal area in Portland.
This is another fountain on our featured list that’s located in Downtown Portland. Daily operating hours are 5 am to midnight for people to visit and enjoy the scenery.
Address: SW Harrison St & Southwest 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
Phone Number: (503) 823-7529
9. Shemanski Fountain – an attractive fountain with an Italian design bronze sculpture
Joseph Shemanski gifted this fountain to the city of Portland because of the kindness of the residents in how they helped him in his life.
As a Polish immigrant, he was a traveling clock salesman and his success was founded in Portland as a successful businessman. This fountain is otherwise known as Rebecca at the Well.
Visit Shemanski Fountain today to be amazed at the Italian-inspired trefoil architecture made of cast stone designed by Carl L. Linde.
It’s not a large water display like other fountains in Portland, but you can enjoy a quick drink after admiring the historical background and unique architecture of the structure.
Located in the Portland Building in Downtown Portland, you can see the fountain daily at any time of the day you wish.
Address: 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Phone Number: (503) 823-7529
10. Chiming Fountain – a pretty renaissance style fountain
The Chiming Fountain, otherwise known as Cupid’s Fountain, originated in 1891 via the designer John “Hans” Staehli. Installed in Washington Park in Portland, you can find out more information about the fountain by contacting Washington Park’s phone number below.
Visiting the Chiming Fountain will give you a sense of calm peering at the elegant 19th century architectural design used to create such a simplistic looking two-part fountain.
Located in the Arlington Heights neighborhood, you can visit Chiming Fountain during park hours from 5 am to 10 pm.
Address: SW Sacajawea Blvd, Portland, OR 97205
Phone Number: (503) 319-0999
11. Source Fountain – one of the smallest fountains in Portland
Source Fountain is a brick-constructed rectangular pyramid-like structure in which water flows slowly out of it.
While not the most extravagant fountain in the Portland area, you can still feel like you are a Transcendentalist nature walk when you pass by it, which is a great reason why it’s worth visiting.
Source Fountain is located inside the PortLand Center Plaza. You can view the fountain during the plaza’s operating hours. However, they are not mentioned on their Google profile, so be sure to call the plaza’s phone number below before planning your trip.
Address: 101-205 SW Lincoln St, Portland, OR 97201
Phone Number: (503) 574-0291
12. Jamison Square Fountain – a stunning stone fountain that resembles a wading pool
Jamison Square was actually the first park added to the Pearl District neighborhood of Portland. It measures almost 1 acre and originated in 2000.
You will have an awesome experience at Jamison Square Park because besides getting to view the Jamison Square Fountain, there is another interactive fountain that acts like a splash pad.
Little ones can enjoy playing in the interactive water fountain with their parents during the spring and summer months.
If you are in the Pearl District, stop by and view the Jamison Square Fountain any day from 5 am to midnight.
Address: 810 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Phone Number: (503) 823-7529
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Born and raised in Brazil, Gaby has always had a taste for the intriguing, the off-beat and the far flung. After travelling around most of South America, living in Spain and Italy and then moving to England, her feet have stayed continually twitchy. Studying for a degree in Spanish translation and then learning five more languages only poured more fuel onto her travelling ardor.
Gaby likes nothing better than discovering new destinations and meeting the locals, tasting the cuisine and hearing about the local stories. Her other indulgences include French cinema, boxing, photography, colourful manicures and soaking up the rays on a sun-infused beach. She counts Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cornwall as her most favourite places in the world.