Although the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona did not become an independent municipality until 1989, it certainly has a long history. Located northeast of Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, like so many other locales in Arizona, has strong ties to Native American cultures. The area’s close proximity to the Verde River and the Lower Verde Valley made it a prime spot for early people to settle in the area. Eventually permanent settlements sprang up. It is estimated that the Yavapai have inhabited this area of central Arizona since at least the late 16th century. During the 19th century traces of silver, copper and gold were found in the nearby McDowell Mountains. After the arrival of gold prospectors and subsequent settlers in the area, the Yavapai eventually resettled in other areas.
In 1965 Fort McDowell, was established near the present day site of Fountain Hills, Arizona. The fort remained in operation until 1890, at which time an executive order was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt which granted land to the Yavapai people as a reservation, making it possible for them to return to their ancestral lands.
Throughout the latter part of the 19th century, the area in and around Fountain Hills, Arizona served as working cattle ranches. The P-Bar Ranch, the site where Fountain Hills would one day be established, remained in operation until the mid-20th century.
The name Fountain Hills is actually taken from a man-made lake that was never constructed. It was originally included in the Central Arizona Project and would have resulted in the construction of a lake situated at the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation. Under the original plans, the site would have been converted into a master-planned community complete with more than 70,000 residents. As a result of the construction of the lake, homes in Fort McDowell would have been flooded and thus, the plans for construction of the lake were defeated.
Although the lake at Fountain Hills, Arizona was never created, one of the highest fountains in the world was constructed as a way to attract the attention of prospective buyers for the community. Rising some 560 feet, the fountain was turned on for the first time in 1970 and is today the 4th largest fountain in the world. Fountain Hills, Arizona is now home to around 24,000 residents.
