Pennsylvania borough flowing with history
Bounded by the unhurried waters of Lechauweki Springs and the rushing Lehigh River, Fountain Hill is a beautiful hilly borough flowing with history. While Fountain Hills is separate from Southside Bethlehem, the two really commingle,” says Randyl Walters, a local Realtor with Keller Williams Realty with over 20 years of experience in the industry. “So, it’s great for those who want to live in a more residential town with a close community but still be close to all the action of the city.” Fountain Hill’s history is seen through the community’s stunning architecture, streets, and buildings named after its founders. Yet the area offers a small town atmosphere within minutes of local shops and boutiques in neighboring Bethlehem.
Festivals and concerts at SteelStacks
Fountain Hill residents are just minutes from all the City of Bethlehem offers. “SteelStacks hosts a lot of the city’s events nowadays,” Walters says. What was once the former Bethlehem Steel plant was turned into an event hall with indoor and outdoor venues, annual festivals and film screenings. “There’s always something going on, but the city shows off around Christmas time,” Walters says. Known as Christmas City, residents go all out around the holidays. Apart from sparkling lights on every street, Christkindlmarkt has been featured multiple times by Travel and Leisure as one of the best holiday markets in the nation. Other festivities include Musikfest, a massive outdoor free event.
Shops and eateries in Bethlehem
While Broadway is primarily residential, it’s also home to many of Fountain Hill’s businesses, such as Dollar General, a local pharmacy and several restaurants. “There are a few restaurants and businesses in Fountain Hill, but people tend to go out in Bethlehem,” Walters says. Vineyard Di Norma has been serving up Italian fare since 1990. Cuquita offers authentic Columbian cuisine and is known for its empanadas, but La Lupita, a small Mexican joint, is one of Walters’ favorites. Ideal Food Basket is the closest food market, but “It’s pretty small, so residents often go to the nearest Giant or Shoprite for groceries,” Walters says. There are even more eateries and boutiques like Paisley Sun, a small eclectic gift shop. When the forecast is sunny, Main Street resembles European cities, with cafe tables scattered along the sidewalks.
19th and 20th century homes
The town’s rich history is apparent when walking past various historic homes and churches with Gothic influences. In the 19th century, many of Bethlehem’s upper class lived in stately colonial and Victorian-style mansions in Fountain Hill. While some have been converted into businesses, others are still residential, with prices reaching the mid $400,000s. Other residential properties range from classic Italianate rowhomes and twin duplexes with steeply gabled roofs that range in price from the mid $100,000s to the mid $300,000s. Cape Cods and ranch houses are also common, with single-family homes typically selling between the low $200,000s to the mid $300,000s. Only a few properties feature driveways and the occasional attached garage, while most residents must park on the street.
Higher education opportunities
The Bethlehem Area School District serves the community. Elementary and middle school students may attend C-plus-rated schools on Niche like Fountain Hill Elementary School and Broughal Middle School. Students finish off their education at the B-rated Liberty High School. Liberty’s claim to fame stems from its non-traditional Grenadier marching band, a tradition that began in 1967 that implements bagpipes for a unique British Army military band format. Lehigh University, which prides itself as one of the country’s top research institutions, is only one mile away. Fountain Hill is also home to St. Luke’s Hospital, rated the second-best teaching hospital by Fortune Magazine. The hospital offers a school of medicine in partnership with Temple University and a nursing school. St. Luke’s is Fountain Hill’s most prominent employer and is known for giving back to the community, including improvements to recreational facilities.
Wooded trails and green spaces
In the heart of town is Fountain Hill Park. Here, it’s common to see kids running around the playground or hear the shouts of cheers from the baseball field during little league games. Other amenities range from basketball and beach volleyball courts to the outdoor community pool. Next door is the Dodson Street Fields for local league’s soccer games. With its proximity to the Lehigh River and wooded areas, Fountain Hill offers many hiking trails. Lehigh Mountain Park awaits with riverside views, yet Broadway and areas bordering the river are prone to flooding. South Mountain Park offers more meandering paths and a disc golf course. Lechauweki Springs is another tranquil park shaded by tall trees with a small gazebo in the middle of the natural spring water.
Commutes around Lehigh Valley
Broadway is the main road through town. Although the South Side Historic District is right next door, the heart of Bethlehem is about 2.5 miles away across the Fahy Bridge. With sidewalks throughout downtown Fountain Hill and Bethlehem, the area is walkable. Public transit options are also available, with bus stops along Broadway and Delaware Avenue. Allentown is only 6 miles away for commuters, while its central location makes it simple to head to New York City, Philadelphia or the Poconos within hours. Lehigh Valley International Airport is a quick drive away along Pennsylvania Highway 378, while other nearby roads include Interstate 78 and U.S. Route 22, also known as the Lehigh Valley Thruway. Various historic churches are located throughout the area, like the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, an Episcopal cathedral listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photography Contributed By
Jay Ratchford
