The region which would become Fountain Hill was home to Lenape Indians prior to its acquisition by William Penn for his sons, Thomas, John and Richard in 1681.

The deed for the land was passed to several farming families before being sold to the Moravians in the recently established Bethlehem in 1743.

[3] In 1846 the Moravians sold 2-acres of the property to Dr. Francis Henry Oppelt who opened a hotel and mineral spa on the site.

Jeter at the time was purchasing most of the farms in the region, as well as the mansions built for Lehigh Valley Railroad executives, many of which are preserved in the Fountain Hill Historic District.

After a successful petition to the Lehigh County government, Fountain Hill became an incorporated municipality on November 13, 1893.

[3] Through the 1940s Fountain Hill would remain a cultural retreat for Bethlehemites, hosting many operas, playhouses, and theaters.

In 1949 Fountain Hill annexed another parcel from Salisbury township, bringing the borough to its present borders.