A graceful fountain, with caryatids holding aloft a bronze basin in the center of an octagonal granite pool, with the inscription "Good citizens are the riches of a city," acts as the centerpiece of the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District. Designed by Olin Warner, a prominent New York sculptor, the fountain was built in 1888 in a bid to attract more business to the area. It was named for Stephen Skidmore, a city councilman who partially funded its construction. Cast-iron artifacts from demolished 19C Portland buildings are set into a brick wall and covered arcade in Ankeny Park, a small plaza on the east side of the fountain.