Fountain Hills, Arizona

Fountain Hills is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Known for its impressive fountain, once the tallest in the world, it borders on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The population is 24,729, as of the 2020 census.[5] Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses it was the eighth-fastest-growing place among cities and towns in Arizona.

Fountain Hills, Arizona
Town
The fountain of Fountain Hills can spew water to a height of up to 560 feet (170 m)
Seal
Motto(s): 
"All That Is Arizona"[1]
Location of Fountain Hills in Maricopa County, Arizona
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 33.60°N 111.72°W / 33.60; -111.72
Country United States
State Arizona
County Maricopa
Incorporated1989
Government
 • MayorGinny Dickey
Area
 • Total20.37 sq mi (52.76 km2)
 • Land20.28 sq mi (52.53 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.22 km2)
Elevation
1,520−3,000 ft (580–640 m)
Population
 • Total22,489
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
25,200
 • Density1,242.42/sq mi (479.70/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST (no DST))
ZIP codes
85268-85269
Area code(s)480
FIPS code04-25300
GNIS feature ID36980
WebsiteTown of Fountain Hills, Arizona

History

Before the development of Fountain Hills, the area was home to the Yavapai, and petroglyphs can be found near the Dixie Mine in the northwest corner of the town along the mountains.

Two boys posing at the petroglyphs by the Dixie Mine, Fountain Hills, AZ

In the early 20th century, the area that became Fountain Hills and the McDowell Mountain Regional Park was part of the Pemberton Ranch,[6] later renamed the P-Bar Ranch. Fountain Hills High School is built on the site of one of the P-Bar Ranch's buildings, and a plaque stands in the parking lot to commemorate this.

Fountain Hills was developed by C. V. Wood, president of McCulloch Oil, and was named after the towering man-made fountain in the center of town.[7][8] The town was incorporated in 1989.[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.1 km2), of which 18.1 square miles (46.9 km2) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.26 km2) (0.55%) is water. The elevation is 1,520 ft (463 m) at the fountain, 3,000 ft (914 m) on Golden Eagle Boulevard, and is 500 ft (152. m) above Phoenix.[10]

To the east of the town is the Verde River, a tributary to the Salt River. Inside the town there are many washes that run through Fountain Hills into the Verde River. Some of these washes include the Ashbrook, Balboa, Legend, and Colony Washes. During times of rain the washes flood with water and can sometimes block roads with their water. Signs mark several of the intersections of washes and major streets in the town.

To the southwest and northwest regions of Fountain Hills are the McDowell Mountains, a chain of extinct volcanic mountains. The highest mountains in the range are East End (4,033 ft (1,229 m)) and Thompson Peak (3,910 ft (1,190 m)).

Climate

This area has a large amount of sunshine year round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fountain Hills has a hot desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19802,771—
199010,030262.0%
200020,235101.7%
201022,48911.1%
2019 (est.)25,200[4]12.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the census of 2010, there were 22,489 people, 10,339 households, and 7,121 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,113.8 inhabitants per square mile (430.0/km2). There were 13,167 housing units at an average density of 577.5 per square mile (223.0/km2). The ethnic makeup of the town was 94.1% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race make up 4.1% of the population.

There were 10,339 households, out of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. Householders living alone make up 25.7% of all households, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.4% under the age of 18, 85.6% 18 years and over, and 27.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.9 years. There were 47.8% males and 52.2% females.

According to a 2010 Census American Community Survey 3-year estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $75,038, and the median income for a family was $91,585.[13]

The per capita income for the town was $47,441. About 3.0% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 0.7% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

The Fountain
Fountain Hills Fountain Informative Plaque

Fountain Hills has the world's fourth-tallest fountain. It was built in 1970 in Zürich, Switzerland by Robert P. McCulloch, the year before the reconstruction of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, another of McCulloch's projects. The fountain sprays water for about 15 minutes every hour on the hour between 9am and 9pm. The plume rises from a concrete water-lily sculpture in the center of a large man-made lake. The fountain, driven by three 600 horsepower (450 kW) turbine pumps, sprays water at a rate of 7,000 US gallons (26,000 l; 5,800 imp gal) per minute through an 18-inch (460 mm) nozzle. With all three pumps under ideal conditions, the fountain reaches 560 feet (170 m) in height,[14] though in normal operation only two of the pumps are used, with a fountain height of around 300 feet (91 m). When built it was the world's tallest fountain, a record it held for over a decade.[15]

Green light, as well as red, blue, orange, and purple shine on the spray of the fountain during special events and occasions.

To help celebrate the fountain's 50th year, the town installed a new LED lighting system with four lights mounted directly under the fountain and six lights on the shore for a total of 10 lights to provide ample lighting and still meet the Dark Skies [16] regulations.

Red light from the LED lighting system shines on the fountain during special occasions at night.
Purple light on the fountain is one of the colors which can be programmed to shine on the fountain at night.
The fountain can display up to eight colors with the LED lighting system.
The Town of Fountain Hills community services department installed the LED lighting system to replace an older, inefficient lighting system. The LED lights are less expensive to operate and offer a variety of colors, making the night shows an attraction for residents and visitors.
On St. Patrick's Day, the famous fountain is turned green to celebrate.

International Dark Sky Community

In January, 2018 the Town of Fountain Hills was designated an International Dark Sky Community [17] by the International Dark Sky Association.[18] The town is one of only two International Dark Sky Communities located near a large metropolitan area. There are currently only 16 communities in the world have earned this designation. The Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association (FHDSA) worked with town council and town staff to change outdoor lighting and sign ordinances to address light pollution.

Annual Fairs and Events

The town has three annual fairs—a local art fair, the Fountain Hills Great Fair, which incorporates arts and a carnival, and the Thunderbird Artists' Fountain Hills Fine Art & Wine Affaire. Each year, the water in the town's fountain is dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's day.[19] Fountain Hills Theater is an award-winning performing arts venue entering its 28th season and offering over 16 productions a year to local communities as well as performing an arts education year round for youth.

The Annual Arts and Crafts Fair is a Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce event bringing thousands of visitors and shoppers to Fountain Hills.
The Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving tradition in Fountain Hills. Started in 1990, the Trot is a 1 mile or 5k walk or run around the world famous fountain.
COVID-19 put a muzzle on the fun activities at the annual Stroll in the Glow event in Towne Center of Fountain Hills. Still, Santa made his arrival with the help of the Town of Fountain Hills Fire Department.
Veterans Day in Fountain Hills is recognized by all branches of the military at the Veterans Memorial in Fountain Hills.
Make a Difference Day is an annual volunteer activity where more than 250 residents will pitch in and help others. In 2020, 267 people worked on 37 homes and projects.

Government

Fountain Hills has a council-manager system. The current mayor of Fountain Hills is Ginny Dickey, first elected in August 2018, and reelected in 2020. The current Town Council consists of the mayor and six councilmembers: Councilmembers Peggy McMahon, Alan Magazine, Gerry Friedel, Sharron Grzybowski, Mike Scharnow, and Vice Mayor David Spelich. Grady Miller has been serving as the Town Manager since 2015. Among other council appointed staff are Town Attorney Aaron Aronson and Town Magistrate Robert Melton.

The town contracts its law enforcement services with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Fountain Hills' Fire Department has two fire stations and contracts with Rural Metro for staffing of its fire department. Dave Ott is the Fire Chief.

Fountain Hills is in Arizona's 6th Congressional District, served by Representative David Schweikert and Arizona's 23rd State Legislative District served by Representatives Jay Lawrence and John Kavanagh. Michelle R. Ugenti is a member of the Arizona Senate.

Education

Fountain Hills Public Schools are part of the Fountain Hills Unified School District #98. The district has two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, Fountain Hills High School.[20]

Media
See also: Media in Phoenix, Arizona

The Fountain Hills Times is the town's weekly newspaper and is published in Fountain Hills.[21] The paper has a weekly circulation of about 3,000.[22]

The parent company of the Times, Western States Publishers, Inc., also publishes the Fountain Hills/Rio Verde Telephone Directory, Fountain Hills Community Guide, Fountain Hills HOME.[23]

Notable people

Sister cities

Fountain Hills has four sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:[24]

  • Entrance to town
  • Fountain Hills
  • The Fountain Park
  • Over Fountain Hills
  • Arizona Sunrise
  • Fountain Hills
  • Fountain Park
    Snow falls about once every other year on the McDowell Mountains
  • "Fount Rushmore" features statues of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan; the famous fountain is in the right rear background
  • The fountain does not operate on windy days
  • Veterans Memorial in Fountain Park of the town of Fountain Hills
  • A Howitzer located in the Veterans Memorial in Fountain Park of the town of Fountain Hills
Fountain Hills Arizona

The Stoneman Road, established by Colonel George Stoneman, was an important supply road between Fort McDowell and Fort Whipple in Prescott between 1870 and 1890 on what is today the Yavapai Reservation near Fountain Hills. The trail passed through the McDowell Mountains. The McDowell Mountains is a chain of extinct volcanic mountains in Fountain Hills.[25]

  • McDowell Mountain Regional Park entrance.
  • Sign which indicates where the Stoneman Trail a.k.a. Stoneman Wash Trail passed through in the McDowell Mountains of Fountain Hills
  • Stoneman Trail a.k.a. Stoneman Wash Trail

References
  1. "Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona". Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. data.census.gov https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US0425300. Retrieved February 7, 2021. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. https://arizona.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,2,fid,32778,n,pemberton%20ranch.cfm
  7. Arroyo Rodriguez, Nadine (April 18, 2014). "Did You Know: The Fountain Hills Namesake Is Among The World's Largest". KJZZ. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  8. "Profile for Fountain Hills, Arizona, AZ". ePodunk. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  9. "Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona". Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  10. "About Fountain Hills | Fountain Hills, AZ - Official Website". www.fh.az.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  11. Climate Summary for Fountain Hills, Arizona
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. "Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03): Fountain Hills, Arizona". Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  14. "The Fountain". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  15. "The Fountain (site disabled 2017-06-26)". Fountain Hills Guide. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  16. "Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association". Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  17. "Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association". Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  18. "International Dark Sky Association". International Dark-Sky Association. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  19. "St. Patrick's Day Greening of the Fountain". Town of Fountain Hills. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  20. "Fountain Hills United School District #98". Fountain Hills United School District #98. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  21. "Fountain Hills Times". Fountain Hills Times. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  22. "National Newspaper Association 2012 Better Newspaper Contest Winners" (PDF). National Newspaper Association. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  23. "Fountain Hills Times CO". Yellowpages. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  24. "Interactive City Directory". Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  25. Arizona Republic
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