The most prominent and frequently photographed fountain in Kansas City is appropriately named J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain. It is a fitting tribute to Jesse Clyde Nichols who is responsible for the city’s expansion and appearance. Similarly, the fountain was installed as part of the Country Club Plaza that is one of Nichols greatest achievements.

J.C. Nichols extensively used decorative statuary in the development of the Country Club Plaza which started its explosive use in all other improvement projects in Kansas City. The figures in the fountain were originally created in Paris by the French sculptor Henri-Léon Gréber in 1910. Later, it was transported to "Harbor Hill," the estate of Clarence Mackay in Roslyn, New York where it was named “The Mackay Fountain”. It became an elegant centerpiece of the large garden until 1949. A fire in 1938 destroyed the estate, and at some unknown point, the figures that made up the outdoor fountain were vandalized. In 1951, the figures of the fountain were sold for salvage which was bought by the members of the Nichols family and later brought to Kansas City.

In 1957, the Parks Department donated the necessary land, along with sidewalks and landscaping which enabled the family to start its plan for a memorial fountain. The Nichols family and other friends donated the money to repair the damage done to the Greber figures and restore them to working order. It was dedicated the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain in 1960.

The outdoor water fountain consists of a pool with an 80-foot diameter. The four allegorical equestrian figures reportedly represent four great rivers of the world namely the Mississippi, Volga, Seine and Rhine. The mounted Native American throwing a spear towards an open-mouthed figure which is an alligator represents the Mississippi River. While the bear stands for the Volga River. The work is enlivened by sculptures of little children riding the dolphins in the pool surrounding the main figures. Water shoots 30 feet up from the center fountain basin and the dolphin figure shoot water towards the center.