Fountain, Colorado
Encyclopedia
The city of Fountain is a Home Rule Municipality located in El Paso County
, Colorado
, United States
. Fountain is located just ten miles (16 km) south of Colorado Springs
and just east of Fort Carson. Fountain and the Colorado Springs suburbs Security
and Widefield make up the "Fountain Valley" community.http://chamber.fountaincolorado.org/index.htm According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 19,081. In 1999, Fountain was chosen as "America's Millennium City" by the New York Times based on the city's proximity to national census statistics and qualitative research on what American life was actually like at the end of the 20th century.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEEDA163CF936A35751C1A96F958260&scp=4&sq=fountain%2C+colorado+1999&st=nyt Fountain was named an "All-America City" in 2002 by the National Civic League
.http://chamber.fountaincolorado.org/Millennium/index.htm The city is the home of Pikes Peak International Raceway
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36.3 km²), of which, 14.0 square miles (36.3 km²) of it is land and 0.07% is water. The eponymous Fountain Creek
flows south through the city.
of 2000, there were 15,197 people, 5,039 households, and 4,061 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,085.7 people per square mile (419.1/km²). There were 5,219 housing units at an average density of 372.9 per square mile (143.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.07% White, 8.74% African American, 1.41% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.55% Pacific Islander, 6.71% from other races
, and 5.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.06% of the population.
There were 5,039 households out of which 49.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,121, and the median income for a family was $44,735. Males had a median income of $31,192 versus $24,000 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,975. About 5.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
, Henry Hutchins, a Fountain merchant and Mrs. Sarah Widrig a local hat maker from Fountain. (There are conflicting reports of who else died as a result of injuries from the crash.)http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9902EEDF1E38E533A25756C1A9639C94699FD7CF&scp=1&sq=a+whole+town+wrecked&st=p
The blast from the collision created a very loud explosion that could be heard from miles away. The crash destroyed a nearby church, a grocery store and created a large crater in the ground forty feet in diameter and fifteen feet deep.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9902EEDF1E38E533A25756C1A9639C94699FD7CF&scp=1&sq=a+whole+town+wrecked&st=p
The cause of the wreck was attributed to a pair of unruly vagrants who were kicked off of the freight train north of Fountain in Colorado Springs. After an investigation by The Rocky Mountain News, it was later reported that one of the two vagrants murdered a third man, Frank Shipman, on the freight train. Shipman, who had only one leg, was returning from visiting his brother in Pueblo, Colorado
. The unidentified vagrants and Shipman had been arguing and Shipman was struck hard in the head killing him. The men attempted to somehow dispose of Shipman's dead body and cover-up the crime by disconnecting the train car Shipman's body was in sending it down the railroad tracks. The train car Shipman's body was in, three other train cars carrying the explosive naphtha and the caboose of the freight train were disconnected by the men and sent southbound towards Fountain. Meanwhile, a passenger train was traveling northbound on the same tracks. The collision followed. Thirty riders on board the northbound passenger train were able to escape the locomotive before the collision thanks to a frantic warning from the conductor. Twenty-eight people were injured. The vagrants suspected at the root of Shipman's murder and the train wreck were never found and no one was ever charged with a crime.http://books.google.com/books?id=VBNF_rJgx0UC&pg=PA126&vq=fountain,+colorado&source=gbs_search_r&cad=0_1&sig=ACfU3U31Zd3vytxO5PP0_5XARUnFaLdvcw
"The Blast" remains a legendary event in the city's history. It is commemorated with an annual street dance held at Fountain's City Hall Plaza each July.
for $3.5 million. The city was interested in the prime water rights on the property totaling 700 acre.ft a year. Fountain is in the process of drying out the ranch and moving through the water courts to actually receive some of that water. They claim that they should be able to successfully receive 600 of that 700 acre.ft after the water courts have made their decisions. It is expected that Fountain will separate the water from the ranch and then sell the ranch separately.
El Paso County, Colorado
El Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Fountain is located just ten miles (16 km) south of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
and just east of Fort Carson. Fountain and the Colorado Springs suburbs Security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
and Widefield make up the "Fountain Valley" community.http://chamber.fountaincolorado.org/index.htm According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 19,081. In 1999, Fountain was chosen as "America's Millennium City" by the New York Times based on the city's proximity to national census statistics and qualitative research on what American life was actually like at the end of the 20th century.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEEDA163CF936A35751C1A96F958260&scp=4&sq=fountain%2C+colorado+1999&st=nyt Fountain was named an "All-America City" in 2002 by the National Civic League
National Civic League
The National Civic League is an American non-profit organization that advocates for transparency, effectiveness, and openness in local government...
.http://chamber.fountaincolorado.org/Millennium/index.htm The city is the home of Pikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway, also known as PPIR, is a participant focused racetrack located in Fountain, Colorado, south of Colorado Springs and north of Pueblo...
.
Geography
Fountain is located at 38°41′38"N 104°41′53"W (38.693787, -104.698156).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 14.0 square miles (36.3 km²), of which, 14.0 square miles (36.3 km²) of it is land and 0.07% is water. The eponymous Fountain Creek
Fountain Creek
Fountain Creek is a stream in El Paso and Pueblo counties, in Colorado in the United States.-Geography:From its source near the city of Woodland Park north of Pikes Peak, the creek flows southeast through the communities of Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park to the town of Cascade. It...
flows south through the city.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 15,197 people, 5,039 households, and 4,061 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,085.7 people per square mile (419.1/km²). There were 5,219 housing units at an average density of 372.9 per square mile (143.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.07% White, 8.74% African American, 1.41% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.55% Pacific Islander, 6.71% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 5.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.06% of the population.
There were 5,039 households out of which 49.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,121, and the median income for a family was $44,735. Males had a median income of $31,192 versus $24,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,975. About 5.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
History: The Blast
A tremendous train wreck, "The Blast", as it is now known, occurred in Fountain during the spring of 1888. Just after three in the morning on May 14, 1888, a freight train carrying eighteen tons of explosives and a passenger train collided in the city. The accident killed three people: Charles F. Smith, a Fountain lumber dealer originally from Keokuk, IowaKeokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
, Henry Hutchins, a Fountain merchant and Mrs. Sarah Widrig a local hat maker from Fountain. (There are conflicting reports of who else died as a result of injuries from the crash.)http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9902EEDF1E38E533A25756C1A9639C94699FD7CF&scp=1&sq=a+whole+town+wrecked&st=p
The blast from the collision created a very loud explosion that could be heard from miles away. The crash destroyed a nearby church, a grocery store and created a large crater in the ground forty feet in diameter and fifteen feet deep.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9902EEDF1E38E533A25756C1A9639C94699FD7CF&scp=1&sq=a+whole+town+wrecked&st=p
The cause of the wreck was attributed to a pair of unruly vagrants who were kicked off of the freight train north of Fountain in Colorado Springs. After an investigation by The Rocky Mountain News, it was later reported that one of the two vagrants murdered a third man, Frank Shipman, on the freight train. Shipman, who had only one leg, was returning from visiting his brother in Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
. The unidentified vagrants and Shipman had been arguing and Shipman was struck hard in the head killing him. The men attempted to somehow dispose of Shipman's dead body and cover-up the crime by disconnecting the train car Shipman's body was in sending it down the railroad tracks. The train car Shipman's body was in, three other train cars carrying the explosive naphtha and the caboose of the freight train were disconnected by the men and sent southbound towards Fountain. Meanwhile, a passenger train was traveling northbound on the same tracks. The collision followed. Thirty riders on board the northbound passenger train were able to escape the locomotive before the collision thanks to a frantic warning from the conductor. Twenty-eight people were injured. The vagrants suspected at the root of Shipman's murder and the train wreck were never found and no one was ever charged with a crime.http://books.google.com/books?id=VBNF_rJgx0UC&pg=PA126&vq=fountain,+colorado&source=gbs_search_r&cad=0_1&sig=ACfU3U31Zd3vytxO5PP0_5XARUnFaLdvcw
"The Blast" remains a legendary event in the city's history. It is commemorated with an annual street dance held at Fountain's City Hall Plaza each July.
In the news
Recently, in a controversial move, the city of Fountain purchased a 480 acres (1.9 km²) ranch, the H2O Ranch in Custer CountyCuster County, Colorado
Custer County is the tenth least populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,503 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Westcliffe.- History :...
for $3.5 million. The city was interested in the prime water rights on the property totaling 700 acre.ft a year. Fountain is in the process of drying out the ranch and moving through the water courts to actually receive some of that water. They claim that they should be able to successfully receive 600 of that 700 acre.ft after the water courts have made their decisions. It is expected that Fountain will separate the water from the ranch and then sell the ranch separately.
Notable residents (current and former)
- Chase HeadleyChase HeadleyChase Jordan Headley is a major league baseball player currently playing for the San Diego Padres. He plays third base, and formerly played left field. He is a switch-hitter...
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NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
- Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
See also
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical AreaColorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical AreaThe Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Metropolitan Statistical Area located in the Colorado Springs region of the State of Colorado. The Census Bureau estimates that the population was 647,758 in 2010, a 20.48% increase since 2000. The...
- El Paso County, ColoradoEl Paso County, ColoradoEl Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver...
- Fountain-Fort Carson High SchoolFountain-Fort Carson High School-Rivalries:Florence High School: Florence & FFCHS were, throughout much of the 1950s through the 1990s, longtime rivals that competed in the old Pikes Peak League - often challenging for league supremacy in football and basketball....
- Mesa Ridge High SchoolMesa Ridge High SchoolMesa Ridge High School is a school in Widefield School District 3, a school district in El Paso County, Colorado. The school is zoned to receive students from Fountain, Colorado, and the Colorado Springs suburbs of Security and Widefield. Mesa Ridge opened in 1997. The first graduating class...
- Front Range Urban CorridorFront Range Urban CorridorThe Front Range Urban Corridor is an oblong region of urban population located along the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The corridor derives its name from the Front Range, the mountain range that defines the west central boundary of the...
- South Central Colorado Urban AreaSouth Central Colorado Urban Areathumb|240px|An enlargeable map of the four-county South Central Colorado Urban AreaThe South Central Colorado Urban Area comprises the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Pueblo Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the Cañon City Micropolitan Statistical Area in the central and south...
- State of Colorado