Fountainville was a house, slightly set back from Malone Road (now University Road). It was marked on James Williamson's map of Belfast (1791), the residence of Mr. Thompson. It may have been built somewhat earlier, as Trevor Carleton shows it on a map of Malone based on James Crow's survey of the Earl of Donegall's estates, 1767-70 (Carleton 1978, p. 95). Fountainville was named from a number of springs on the Malone Road which towards the close of the 18th century formed part of the town's water supply. The chief of these was known as Bellows Spring from its shape (John J. Marshall, Belfast Telegraph, 17/01/1941). Poor water quality was a major concern in the town of Belfast. In 1795 the Belfast Charitable Society took on responsibility for supplying clean water to the town. This involved the very costly task of laying pipes, almost a mile long, to connect the town centre to the springs at Fountainville (Benn 1877, pp. 489-90).
In the early 19th century Cinnamond's Brewery was built on the Lisburn Road, attracted to the area by Fountainville Springs (Carleton 1978, p. 97). A national school (primary school) was approved in 1884 and built in Fountainville Avenue c. 1890 (IHTA xvii, 76).
Fountainville (Old Malone Road) features in the 1858-1859 (Henderson) Belfast Street Directory with three addresses listed. There is also a listing for Fountainville Cottage. Fountainville Avenue is first recorded in 1843 in Martin's Belfast Directory.
Approval for the name of Fountainville Street is recorded in Council minutes in 1874 (IHTA xvii, 19). However, no such name seems to be recorded in directories.