History & Heritage
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Fountain Hills and the Lake That Never Was
Fountain Hills owes its origin to a lake that never came to be.
As part of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), construction of Orme
Dam, near Granite Reef Dam, would have created a lake at the Fort
McDowell Indian Reservation. The lake would have flooded the
homes of Fort McDowell residents. The Yavapai and environmentalists
defeated the dam proposal.
Robert P. McCulloch envisioned a community of 70,000 people
similar to one of McCulloch Properties’ other master-planned
communities – Lake Havasu City. The development was marketed with
a “fly-before-you-buy” sales program, beginning in 1972. Prospective
buyers were flown in from Midwestern and Eastern cities to tour the
desert ridges in white Jeeps and select their properties.
The 560-foot-high “World’s Highest Fountain” was the concept
of C.V. Wood, Jr., a planner for McCulloch Properties, Inc., who had
worked with Walt Disney on designing Disneyland. It was built to
attract attention and buyers. It was turned on for the first time on
Dec. 15, 1970, the “birthday” of Fountain Hills. For many years the
community was small and remote from the rest of the Valley, so
a spirit of neighborliness developed among the town’s pioneers.
It still exists as a feeling of small-town togetherness and strong
community involvement. Today, the population is around 24,000,
with build-out expected at around 35,000 residents.
Come & Explore
“Coolin-and-Dusty” by Craig Bergsgaard
Fountain Hills & Fort McDowell
Although the Town of Fountain Hills and the Fort McDowell
Yavapai Nation are only 23 miles northeast of Phoenix, it feels as if
they are a world away. The communities are only 20 minutes from
Sky Harbor International Airport and amenities like sports arenas,
but they are separated from the hustle and traffic of Scottsdale and
the metro area by the scenic McDowell Mountains.
The Fountain Hills area is wreathed by majestic mountains, draped
in the unique vegetation of the Sonoran Desert and blessed with
panoramic views. The saguaro-studded landscape provides a scenic
venue for a wide range of outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking,
biking, bird watching and boating.
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Fountain Hills/Fort McDowell Official Visitors Guide
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