The land that became Fountain Hills started as the P-Bar Ranch, whose more recorded history begins in 1935. The history of legal ownership of the land is very hard to trace prior to that time. In 1955 the owner of the P-Bar Ranch (Delsie Robbins) sold it to an unknown person. Then Robert Evans, a Paradise Valley architect, gained title to the land during that same year. In 1956 Fred Eldean bought Evans’ ranch land and another parcel known as Moore’s Pasture, land to the north of the old P-Bar. In 1964, Page Land and Cattle Company (Fred Eldean, President) swapped some California land holdings for a deed to just under 6900 acres of P-Bar lease land. This swap gave private ownership to the south 11,380 acres of the old P-Bar Ranch. The northern portion of the ranch became McDowell Mountain Park and Maricopa County land. Robert McCulloch, the developer of Lake Havasu City, heard about the proposed Orme Dam prior to his purchase of over 12,000 acres of land, in 1968, which later became Fountain Hills. There was a proposal before the United States Congress to build Orme Dam at the confluence of the Salt and Verde Rivers forming a lake that would have inundated most of the Fort McDowell Indian Community, but would have made Fountain Hills a lakeside community. During 1968 and 1969 construction of the fountain and main roads into Fountain Hills and some of the infrastructure of the new town took place. One of the designers of Fountain Hills was C. V. Wood, also one of the designers of Disneyland. Congress also approved the Orme Dam at this time. December 15, 1970 is considered to be the birthday of Fountain Hills because that is the day the fountain was turned on for the first time. 1970 and 1971 saw more roads built, electric and sewer lines laid, and water storage tanks built. Every developer needs a sales office, so one was built overlooking the fountain, what is now Messingers Mortuary. McCulloch had a unique sales strategy. He purchased older prop jet airplanes when the airlines got rid of them, and, beginning in 1972, flew people out to Fountain Hills, primarily people from major cities in the east. They were provided airfare, lodging and meals. Lodging was initially in Scottsdale until apartments could be completed in Fountain Hills. In 1973 the La Fuenta Apartments were opened and lodging was now provided in Fountain Hills. The La Fuenta Apartments are now condominiums located at the corner of Saguaro Blvd. and Gunsight Drive.

Sales of homes were brisk and businesses started opening in town. The first house in Fountain Hills to be occupied is on Calaveras and Sally Ballee and her two children moved in on February 12, 1972.

Also in 1972: Businesses opened: Fountain Mountain, U-Tote-M, and a milk delivery service. The great-great grandson of Horace Greely rode from Wisconsin to Fountain Hills on horseback.

1973 brought these openings and events: Openings: Valley National Bank, Mr. G’s Interiors, Del Camino Nursery, Huck Finn’s Restaurant, Village Bazaar Shops, Paul’s Hardware and McDowell Mountain Stationary. In addition, the golf course opened for play, the second phase of condominiums to be built were completed and, finally, there was telephone service in town thanks to the operation of the new Mountain Bell switching center.

1974: The opening of Basha’s, our first pharmacy (Don’s Pharmacy) and the publishing of our weekly newspaper, the Fountain Hills Times. Our first telephone directory was published this year as well by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gridley.

The town continued to grow, slowly at first, then gaining momentum. Several town highlights through the early years are:

1975: First Annual Arts and Crafts show, attendance of 20,000. (This show continues to this day, it is a premier arts and craft show sponsored by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce) Largest 4th of July celebration in Arizona
Buick commercial shot in Fountain Hills Bobby Riggs and other Hollywood celebrities attended the grand opening of the Fontana Racquet and Swim Club.

1976: Botanical Garden opened Library opened. An April hailstorm dropped ice balls on Fountain Hills, looked like a winter wonderland. First citizen groups formed to study the feasibility of incorporation.

1978: Construction was booming. The community’s Fiesta Bowl parade float won top prize. Count Basie played to a large audience in the park.

1979: 364 building permits were issued. Study and controversy concerning incorporation continued Channel 8 (PBS) sponsored the first fair in Fountain Hills as a thank you to its viewers (this became the second arts and crafts event to be held each year along with the arts and crafts festival. Both currently sponsored by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce)

1981: Orme Dam project formally abandoned by Congress after years of opposition by the Fort McDowell Indian Nation, the Maricopa and Tucson Audubon Societies, the Young Republicans Committee to Save Fort McDowell, ASU students, Salt River tubers, the Arizona Wildlife Foundation, the National Wildlife Society and the Tempe Democrats Against Orme.

1982: A major storm roared through town damaging 32 homes. Slow down in building because of nation wide economy. White Castle Days (White Castle hamburgers) was held at The Pub.

1983: Economic upturn. Incorporation vote taken, defeated. Great 8 Fair drew 62,000 people. 170,000 White Castle hamburgers sold at White Castle Days.
25,000 people attended the Arts and Crafts Festival

1986: Economic upswing continues. Fountain Hills becomes well settled and attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually.

1988: Incorporation lost by 65 votes. After many years of controversy, studies, and votes Fountain Hills finally became incorporated on December 5, 1989.

Our wonderful town has grown by leaps and bounds. Our population has grown to an estimated 21,740 in 2002. The 1980 census showed a population of 2,772-quite a growth spurt!