Fountain City, Knoxville facts for kids
Fountain City is a lively neighborhood located in northern Knoxville, Tennessee. Even though it's part of Knoxville, it used to be a separate, large community. In 1962, Fountain City joined Knoxville. At that time, it was the biggest community in the United States that wasn't officially a city yet. Today, many people call Fountain City home, with thousands living in its area.
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What is Fountain City Like?
Fountain City is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. This area has long, narrow hills that run from northeast to southwest. Fountain City is surrounded by these hills, like Blackoak Ridge and Beaver Ridge to the north. Sharp's Ridge is to the south, separating it from downtown Knoxville.
Nearby Communities
Other towns close to Fountain City include Halls Crossroads to the north and Powell to the west. Gibbs is to the northeast, and Beverly is to the east. A small stream called First Creek flows through Fountain City. It starts near Blackoak Ridge and goes all the way to the Tennessee River in downtown Knoxville.
Main Roads and Travel
The main road in Fountain City is Broadway. This road is part of U.S. Highway 441. It connects Fountain City to Halls Crossroads in the north and downtown Knoxville in the south. Interstate 640 runs along the southern edge of Fountain City. Interstate 75 also passes through the western part of the area. Other important roads include Merchants Drive and Tazewell Pike.
A Look at Fountain City's Past
The first European settlers came to this area around 1791. Captain John Adair built a place called Fort Adair here. It was a supply spot to help protect settlers moving west. These settlers were moving onto land that belonged to the Cherokee people. The exact spot of Fort Adair is not known today. But it was likely near Lynnhurst Cemetery, where Adair Creek and First Creek meet. Captain Adair and his wife are buried on a hill overlooking the cemetery.
From Grassy Valley to Fountain Head
The community that grew around Fort Adair was first called "Grassy Valley." Later, it became known as "Fountain Head." In the 1820s, a traveling preacher named E.F. Sevier helped start the Fountain Head Methodist Church. This church was built in 1828.
Soon after, the Fountain Head Campground grew next to the church. It had a big natural spring. This campground was a popular place for religious meetings. Sometimes, as many as 2,000 people would gather there! The campground later moved in the 1880s. Today, the old campground is a park called Fountain City Park.
Becoming Fountain City
In 1885, the land where the campground was located was sold. The next year, a large hotel called the Fountain Head Hotel was built. It had three stories and fifty rooms, overlooking the spring. With the hotel, the community started to grow even more.
In 1890, a post office was opened. Since another town in Tennessee was already named "Fountain Head," the community chose the name "Fountain City." That same year, the heart-shaped Fountain City Lake was created. A special railroad, called the "Dummy Line," was built to connect Fountain City to Knoxville. This train ran until 1905, when it was replaced by a trolley.
Fountain City in the 1900s
In 1893, a school called Holbrook Normal College was started near the Fountain Head Hotel. Later, Knox County bought this school. In 1906, it became Central High School.
A special person named Hassie K. Gresham became the principal of Central High in 1919. She was the first female high school principal in Tennessee! She led the school until 1947. During her time, the number of students grew almost ten times bigger. When Central High moved to a new building in 1971, the middle school that took its place was named Gresham Middle School in her honor.
By the 1950s, more than 30,000 people lived in Fountain City. Knoxville wanted to grow and tried to make Fountain City part of the city. At first, most people in Fountain City didn't want this. But after Knoxville made some promises, Fountain City agreed. On February 12, 1962, Fountain City officially became part of Knoxville.
Learning in Fountain City
Fountain City has several public schools. These include Central High School and Gresham Middle School. There are also elementary schools like Shannondale, Sterchi, Fountain City, and Inskip Elementary. For private education, there are Nature's Way Montessori and Garden Montessori schools.
Fun and Recreation
Fountain City Lake is a very popular spot. People often call it the "Duck Pond." It's one of the most famous features of the neighborhood.
Parks and Activities
Fountain City also has several parks for everyone to enjoy.
- Fountain City Park is located where the old Fountain Head Campground used to be. It's a 12-acre park with a small spring.
- The Fountain City Ball Park was built in 1954 and is a great place for sports.
- The Fountain City Art Center, which was originally a library built in 1964, now hosts art activities.
