[1] The sandstone fountain was designed in 1925, completed in 1926, and named after Joseph Shemanski, a Polish immigrant and businessman who gave it to the city.

[2][3] The fountain surrounding the statue, often considered part of the artwork, is maintained by the Portland Water Bureau with assistance from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

[4][5][6] It was gifted to Portland by Joseph Shemanski (1869–1951), a Polish immigrant who became a successful businessman after founding Eastern Outfitting Co., to "express in small measure gratitude" for what the city offered to him.

[6][9] Inara Verzemnieks of The Oregonian described the fountain's lower water basins as "cute little bowl-sized pools at the base" for the purpose of serving pets "who did not have a place to cool off".

[11] Logan also said that the fountain's original design called for granite, but it was constructed of cast stone because of that material's popularity at the time.

[2] The fountain's original design included a large planter,[11] but following its construction Shemanski hired Oliver Laurence Barrett to create a bronze statue to replace the vase.

[14] That same year, Logan and two other men—David L. Lipman and Jeff Wolfstone, grandson and great-grandson of Shemanski, respectively—approached the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation, advocating for the fountain's restoration.

During the renovation process, the fountain was thoroughly cleaned, had missing pieces such as finials and urns replaced and chipped corners repaired, and was coated with a sealant to protect it from the elements and graffiti.

[11] The men offered funds for part of the renovation and the purchase of a bronze plaque that includes the original rendering done by Logan and describes the fountain's history and recent work.

[12] Lee Lacey advocated for a 2004 restoration of the fountain; his lobbying efforts, among other accomplishments, earned him the Downtown Neighborhood Association's inaugural First Neighbor Award in 2005.

[19][21] In December 2011, when Occupy Portland protesters were camping at Shemanski Park, a cup of coffee was drawn on the statue using a marker or paint.

[26] In 2010, 600 Catholic women and their supporters gathered at the site for the first "One Spirit – One Call" event, which brought focus to their role within the Church.

[11] In 2006, Bonnie Darves of The Oregonian included the fountain in her walking tour of Portland landmarks, and said it is "worth getting wet for".