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Seattle, Washington / Public art

Prefontaine Fountain

Seattle's oldest fountain, a granite and tile monument dedicated to Father Francis X. Prefontaine, located in a historic pocket park in the heart of Pioneer Square.

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Prefontaine Fountain
Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0

Where is the Prefontaine Fountain located?

The fountain is located at Prefontaine Place, a small park in Seattle's Pioneer Square district near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Yesler Way, across the street from City Hall Park.

What is the Prefontaine Fountain known for?

It is Seattle's oldest fountain, completed in 1925. It was designed by Carl F. Gould and constructed using granite and tile.

Who was the fountain named after and how was it funded?

The fountain was dedicated to Father Francis X. Prefontaine, a Jesuit priest who built Seattle's first Catholic church in 1870. It was funded by a $5,000 bequest left to the city by Father Prefontaine for a fountain in a public square.

Is the fountain currently accessible?

As of 2023, the fountain and the sidewalk between it and the Pioneer Square station have been fenced off.

What is the history of the site where the fountain stands?

The site was once the location of the first county building erected in 1860 on Henry Yesler's property. It was originally known as Yesler Triangle and was deeded to the city in 1912 after the library board found it too small for a library.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Prefontaine Fountain is a historic monument located at Prefontaine Place, a small park in the Pioneer Square district near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Yesler Way. Completed in 1925, it stands as the oldest fountain in Seattle. The structure was designed by architect Carl F. Gould and is constructed from durable granite and tile. The site has a layered history. The land was originally known as Yesler Triangle and was deeded to the city in 1912 after the library board found the space too small for a library. Long before that, in 1860, the property owned by Henry Yesler once hosted the first county building in the city. The fountain was made possible by a $5,000 bequest from Father Francis X. Prefontaine, a Jesuit priest who built Seattle's first Catholic church in 1870. The park and fountain were formally dedicated in June 1926 to honor his memory. Following the construction of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel in the late 1980s, the fountain was rebuilt and reopened in 1990. Currently, the fountain and the sidewalk connecting it to the Pioneer Square station have been fenced off since 2023, limiting direct access to the monument.

Visitor tips

  • Be aware that the fountain and adjacent sidewalk have been fenced off since 2023.
  • Pair this stop with a visit to City Hall Park, which is located directly across the street.
  • Allow about 15 minutes to appreciate the architecture and read the local history.

Nearby context

The fountain is situated in Prefontaine Place, a small park across from City Hall Park and near the Pioneer Square station, placing it at the gateway to Seattle's oldest neighborhood.

Sources

Evidence and links