If you’re exploring downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio, there’s one local landmark that’s hard to miss—and even harder not to stop and take a picture of.
The South Main Plaza Dog Fountain is one of the most distinctive attractions in downtown Mount Vernon. Located at 201 South Main Street, the whimsical fountain features 18 colorful dog sculptures gathered around a golden bone, with water spraying from the dogs toward the center of the fountain. The installation also includes a cat, two pairs of birds, a pony, and an apple, making it a fun place to look closely and discover all of the little details.
Whether you’re a dog lover, visiting downtown with children, exploring Mount Vernon on a bike ride, or simply looking for an unusual photo opportunity, the Dog Fountain is worth adding to your Mount Vernon itinerary.
Where Is the Dog Fountain?
The Dog Fountain is located at South Main Plaza at 201 South Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, near the southwest corner of South Main Street and West Gambier Street (Ohio 229).
The plaza is within easy walking distance of many downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, and other attractions, making the fountain an easy stop while exploring the area.
It is also just a few blocks from the Mount Vernon area of the Heart of Ohio Trail and the Kokosing Gap Trail, making it a fun little detour for people exploring downtown on foot or by bicycle.
What Makes the Dog Fountain So Unique?
The centerpiece of South Main Plaza is a circle of 18 painted cast-aluminum dogs, each representing a different breed. The dogs face inward toward a golden bone, with water spraying from their mouths toward the center.
But the dogs aren’t the only animals you’ll find.
Look closely and you’ll also spot:
- A cat
- Two pairs of birds
- A pony
- An apple
- A golden bone at the center of the fountain
The different animals give visitors plenty of details to discover, making the fountain especially fun for children.
The sculptures were created specifically for the fountain and were painted in bright, playful colors, giving the plaza a cheerful personality.
The Story Behind the Mount Vernon Dog Fountain
The story of the Dog Fountain actually began several hundred miles away in Toronto, Canada.
The Mount Vernon fountain was inspired by a famous dog fountain in Berczy Park in Toronto, designed by internationally recognized landscape architect Claude Cormier.
Gambier resident Phil Samuell first saw photographs of the Toronto fountain online. Phil and his wife, Mary, along with their golden retriever Sandy, eventually met Cormier and visited the Toronto fountain themselves. Their experience helped inspire the idea of bringing a similar concept to Mount Vernon.
The result was a uniquely Mount Vernon interpretation of the idea.
From Buchwald Plaza to South Main Plaza
The Dog Fountain is part of the transformation of a downtown space that was formerly known as Buchwald Plaza.
The property was reimagined as South Main Plaza as part of broader efforts to revitalize downtown Mount Vernon. The project created a more inviting community gathering space while adding the whimsical fountain as its centerpiece.
The fountain was installed in 2019, with the plaza and fountain becoming a public attraction in the following year. Mount Vernon Nazarene University owns the property, and the project received support from community partners and donors.
Today, the fountain has become one of the recognizable landmarks of downtown Mount Vernon.
The Dogs Have Stories of Their Own
One of the most interesting aspects of the fountain is that the individual dog sculptures aren’t simply generic decorations.
Community members and organizations sponsored individual dogs, and some of those sponsorships were connected to personal stories, beloved pets, and causes.
One particularly meaningful example involves a German Shepherd named Prince.
Students in Mount Vernon Middle School’s sixth-grade class sponsored the German Shepherd sculpture in honor of Prince, a Vietnam War scout dog who served alongside local veteran Ed Reeves. The students had learned about military working dogs through their classroom activities and the Working Dogs Awareness Group (WAGS). Prince’s military identification number, 986A, was incorporated into the sculpture.
This adds another layer of meaning to what might initially look like simply a fun downtown fountain.
A Favorite Spot for Families
The Dog Fountain has become a popular destination for families, particularly during warm weather.
Children can look at the different breeds, search for the other animals hidden among the sculptures, and watch the water spray toward the golden bone.
The surrounding South Main Plaza also provides a place to sit and relax, making it easy to spend a few minutes at the fountain before continuing through downtown. Visit Knox County specifically highlights the Dog Fountain as one of the experiences worth including when exploring the county.
And, of course, it’s hard to resist taking a picture.
A Fun Stop for Dog Lovers
You don’t have to own a dog to appreciate the fountain, but dog lovers will probably have even more fun identifying the different breeds.
The sculptures include a variety of recognizable breeds, including German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Saint Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Scottish Terriers, West Highland Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers, pugs, beagles, and others.
If you’re visiting with your own dog, the plaza can also be a fun place to stop while walking around downtown. Just remember that the fountain itself is a public-art installation rather than a dog swimming or drinking area.
When Is the Fountain Running?
Because it is an outdoor water feature, the Dog Fountain operates seasonally.
The fountain is typically turned off and drained during the winter months, so if seeing the water spraying from the dogs is part of your plan, visiting during the warmer months is your best bet.
Even when the water isn’t running, however, the sculptures themselves remain an interesting piece of public art and a fun photo opportunity.
What Else Is Near the Dog Fountain?
One of the best things about the Dog Fountain is its location.
You can easily incorporate it into a larger downtown Mount Vernon outing. After taking a picture with the dogs, spend some time exploring the surrounding downtown streets, shops, restaurants, galleries, and historic buildings.
The fountain is also close to several of Mount Vernon‘s outdoor attractions. Visitors can continue south toward Ariel-Foundation Park, explore the city’s downtown trails and parks, or connect with the regional trail network.
For cyclists, the nearby Kokosing Gap Trail and Heart of Ohio Trail provide additional ways to explore Mount Vernon and the surrounding area.
A Small Attraction With a Big Personality
The South Main Plaza Dog Fountain is a great example of the unexpected attractions that can make a community memorable.
It’s not a massive tourist destination or a traditional museum. Instead, it’s a colorful piece of public art that gives people a reason to pause, take a picture, sit for a few minutes, and enjoy downtown Mount Vernon.
The combination of the 18 dogs, the golden bone, and the assortment of other animals makes it unlike anything else you’ll find around Knox County. And behind the playful sculptures is a story involving local residents, community sponsors, students, veterans, artists, and a desire to create something special for downtown Mount Vernon.
So the next time you’re exploring downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio, make time to visit the Dog Fountain. You may only need a few minutes to see it—but it’s one of those quirky local landmarks you’ll probably remember long after you leave.
Plan Your Visit
South Main Plaza Dog Fountain
201 South Main Street
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
The fountain is located in downtown Mount Vernon at South Main Plaza, near South Main Street and West Gambier Street. Water operation is seasonal, so the sculptures can still be viewed year-round even when the fountain isn’t running.