Skidmore Fountain: Self-Guided Audio Tours
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Top sights near Skidmore Fountain
Welcome to the laid-back downtown Portland, Oregon! This in-app audio tour guides you west of the Willamette River, narrating the city's history as you pass by the emblematic bridges, coffee shops, craft beer breweries, and quaint urban spaces. The tour begins in the trendy Pearl District and Fields Park overlooking the second long tied-arch bridge in the world, the Fremont Bridge. From there, you will come to enjoy the artwork at the Jamison Square, famous for its wading fountain. Next, you will drop in the flagship Powell's Books, an iconic local bookstore with the concept of selling new and used ones. After that, you can line up for the off-the-wall treats at the legendary Voodoo Doughnut shop. The ornate Chinatown Gate will catch your eye on the way there. As you walk the riverside next, you will see the Burnside Bridge marking the border between north and south Portland. And then, observe the Hawthorne Bridge, an oldest highway bridge in the city. Back to downtown, you will stroll the majestic twelve-block South Park Blocks park. Passing by the Oregon Historical Society, you will discover the city's foundation plot and get a chance to witness the evidence on display inside if you like. To round up, you will take in the bustle of Portland’s Living Room, as they call the fun Pioneer Square, the most-visited urban site in Oregon. Join this tour to enjoy the unique cityscape and try to grasp the fabled weird vibe that Portlanders are proud of!
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About Skidmore Fountain
Described as Portland’s oldest piece of public art, the Skidmore Fountain was founded in 1888 and designed by one of the top sculptors of that time, Olin Warner. It was named after Stephen G. Skidmore, a wealthy Portland druggist who died in 1883 and bequeathed $5,000 for a drinking fountain erected in the business part of the city with a specific purpose that dogs, work horses, and laboring men could quench their thirst. Indeed, the fountain’s design features three tiers: for dogs, horses, and people. The inscription on the fountain reads 'Good citizens are the riches of a city.'
The area around the fountain attracts street performers and vendors, when the Portland Saturday Market with arts and crafts takes place nearby, and at times serves as a gathering point for local events.
A couple of interesting facts about the fountain:
- The design was inspired by the fountains that Skidmore saw at Versailles on his visit to the 1878 Paris Exposition.
- For the opening ceremony, the local German brewer Henry Weinhard suggested to connect the fountain with a lager tank and have it spout free beer. This generous offer was politely declined by the authorities.
- When business gradually moved from the area around the fountain and it started to deteriorate, there were suggestions to move it to a more appropriate location, yet the fountain remained where it was and played a role in the efforts to revitalise the neighborhood in the second half of the 20th century.
The fountain is accessible 24/7.
The area around the fountain can get pretty crowded, especially during the Saturday Market. It can also get somewhat sketchy at night, so perhaps is not the greatest spot for a midnight stroll.
The fountain is located in the area where our walking tour of downtown Portland takes place — you can drop by in between grabbing a donut at Voodoo’s and gazing at the waterfront and the bridges.
Skidmore Fountain is located at W Burnside St & Ankeny, Portland, OR 97204, in downtown right next to the Burnside Bridge and Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
You can easily reach it on foot, by bike, or using public transport.
Skidmore Fountain light rail station is just 1 min walk away. Buses 12, 19, and 20 stop at W Burnside & Burnside Bridge nearby.
If you’re driving, paid parking is available on the streets of Portland, plus there are parking lots/garages downtown (e.g. Pine Street), although occasionally finding a spot might get challenging.