Fountain Square and the Genius of Water: The Heart of Cincinnati

In 1871, Henry Probasco donated the Tyler DavidsonFountain to the people of the city of Cincinnati in honor of hisbrother-in-law. Probasco wanted to leave a practical and artistic gift to thecity and its residents that had made both men fabulously wealthy. Though it wasplaced on Fifth Street, away from the central business district, the fountainbecame a centerpiece of the city around its boom years, and downtown Cincinnatigrew up around the statue. Author Greg Rogers chronicles the history of thefountain and its influence on the landscape and culture of the city.