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Parker Strip, Arizona

Parker Strip is a census-designated place (CDP) in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 662 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Parker Strip is located in the northwest corner of La Paz County at 34.22778°N, -114.18222°W (34.227837, -114.182177). It lies along the Colorado River and includes Parker Dam, which forms Lake Havasu. To the northwest, across the Colorado River, is San Bernardino County, California, and to the north, across an arm of Lake Havasu formed by the Bill Williams River, is Mohave County.

Arizona State Route 95 runs through the length of Parker Strip, leading north 23 mi to Lake Havasu City and southwest 15 mi to Parker.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Parker Strip CDP has a total area of 10.8 km2, of which 8.1 km2 are land and 2.7 km2, or 24.86%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,302 people, 1,589 households, and 953 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 464.8 PD/sqmi. There were 4,925 housing units at an average density of 693.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.6% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 2.0% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 2.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.1% of the population.

There were 1,589 households, out of which 16.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 34.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,675, and the median income for a family was $38,139. Males had a median income of $34,924 versus $23,614 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,675. About 10.9% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.5% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Parker Strip, Arizona


text:
Poston, Arizona

Poston is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in La Paz County, Arizona, United States, in the Parker Valley. The population was 285 at the 2010 census, down from 389 in 2000.

During World War II, Poston was the site of the Poston War Relocation Center, one of the United States' largest Japanese-American internment camps, where over 17,000 Japanese-Americans were held over a three-year period. The camp sites are now home to a monument dedicated to those interned there.

Geography
Poston is located in western La Paz County, in the Parker Valley at 33.99028°N, -114.40111°W (33.990348, -114.401052). It is 3 mi east of the Colorado River, which forms the state border with California. Mohave Road runs through the community, leading north 15 mi to Parker and south 28 mi to Ehrenberg. The community lies within the boundaries of the Colorado River Indian Reservation.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Poston CDP has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 389 people, 101 households, and 92 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 279.9 PD/sqmi. There were 110 housing units at an average density of 79.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 31% White, 1% Black or African American, 17% Native American, 48% from other races, and 3% from two or more races. 77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 101 households, out of which 66% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66% were married couples living together, 16% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9% were non-families. 7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.85 and the average family size was 3.92.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 42% under the age of 18, 11% from 18 to 24, 30% from 25 to 44, 13% from 45 to 64, and 4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $17,625, and the median income for a family was $17,065. Males had a median income of $15,859 versus $13,125 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,938. About 42% of families and 46% of the population were below the poverty line, including 55% of those under age 18 and 18% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Poston, Arizona


text:
Quartzsite, Arizona

Quartzsite is a town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population was 2,413.

Interstate 10 runs directly through Quartzsite which is at the intersection of U.S. Route 95 and Arizona State Route 95 with I-10.

History
Where Quartzsite is now located, was from 1863 to the 1880s the site of a waterhole and later a stage station, called Tyson's Wells, along the La Paz - Wikenburg Road on Tyson Wash, in what was then Yuma County, in the newly created Arizona Territory. It was about 20 miles from the Colorado River steamboat landing of La Paz and 25 miles from the landing of Erhenburg from 1866. The next stop was 25 miles to the east at Desert Station.

Tyson's Wells in 1875 was described by Martha Summerhayes, in her book Vanished Arizona: At all events, whatever Messrs. Hunt and Dudley were doing down there, their ranch (Desert Station) was clean and attractive, which was more than could be said of the place where we stopped the next night, a place called Tysons Wells. We slept in our tent that night, for of all places on the earth a poorly kept ranch in Arizona is the most melancholy and uninviting. It reeks of everything unclean, morally and physically.

In the valley around Tyson's Wells were places known to have been successfully worked by individual prospectors since the beginning of the Colorado River Gold Rush of the 1860s up until the 1950s. Some large scale operations in the early 20th century were failures.

Geography and climate
According to the United States Census Bureau Quartzsite is all land and has a total area of 94.0 km2.

Quartzsite lies on the western portion of the La Posa Plain along Tyson Wash. The Dome Rock Mountains overlook the town on the west with Granite Mountain on the southwest edge of the town and Oldman Mountain on the northwest. The Plomosa Mountains lie across the La Posa Plain to the east.

The town has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) with mild to warm winters from November to March and hot to extreme summers for the remainder of the year. In the middle of summer, Quartzsite is one of the hottest places in the United States and has recorded temperatures as high as 122 F on July 28, 1995.

There is very little precipitation with only 4.58 in falling during an average year, while in May and June more than 80 percent of years do not have measurable rainfall. Since records began in 1928 the wettest month has been September 1939 with 6.16 in which was part of the wettest year with 11.05 in and featuring on September 5 the wettest day with 3.00 in. This moisture was due to the remnants of a rare Gulf of California hurricane. The driest calendar year was 1928 with 0.92 in. However, between July 2001 and August 2002 as little as 0.45 in fell over thirteen months.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,354 people, 1,850 households, and 1,176 families residing in the town. The population density was 92.4 PD/sqmi. There were 3,186 housing units at an average density of 87.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.5% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.6% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 5.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,850 households, out of which 5.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 2.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.81 and the average family size was 2.18.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 5.7% under the age of 18, 1.8% from 18 to 24, 7.7% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 54.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 66 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,053, and the median income for a family was $26,382. Males had a median income of $20,313 versus $16,080 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,889. About 7.8% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.3% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism
Quartzsite is a popular recreational vehicle camping area for winter visitors with tourism being the major contributor to Quartzsite's economy. The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, an annual gathering of vandwellers, takes place in January. Nine major gem and mineral shows, and 15 general swap meet shows are very popular tourist attractions, attracting about 1.5 million people annually, mostly during January and February.

Quartzsite is the burial place of Hi Jolly (Hadji Ali), an Ottoman citizen of Greek-Syrian parentage, who took part in the experimental US Camel Corps as a camel driver. The Hi Jolly Monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Quartzsite is also the site of Joanne's Gum Museum, which is open to the public and features a large collection of gum wrappers from around the world.

The Arizona Peace Trail goes through Quartzsite.

Transportation
The Town of Quartzsite operates demand response buses under the name Camel Express that provide weekday service to Quartzsite and La Paz Valley, weekly service to Parker, twice monthly service to Yuma and Blythe, and monthly service to Lake Havasu City. Greyhound Lines serves Quartzsite on its route from Los Angeles to Dallas. Freeways and state highways in Quartzsite include:
 * I-10.svg Interstate 10
 * Arizona 95.svg State Route 95

Gallery
The following gallery includes the images of:
 * Ruins of the Hagely store, which was built in 1890s and is located on the corner of Main St. and Moon Mountain Road.
 * Tyson's Well Stage Station, traditionally called “Fort Tyson” (though was never a military station) was built beginning in 1866 and is located at 161 West Main Street. The stage station served the travelers who went back and forth from the towns of Ehrenberg and Wickenburg. The building now houses the Quartzsite Museum and Historical Society.
 * The restored Oasis Hotel, which was originally built in 1900 and is located adjacent to the Stage Station Museum.
 * The grave of Hi Jolly (1828–1902), a.k.a. Haji Ali, a.k.a. Phillip Tedro. The grave, located in the Hi Jolly Cemetery, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on February 28, 2011, reference #11000054.

In popular culture
One of the primary locations in the 1988 computer role-playing game Wasteland is the town of Quartz. Wasteland Scenario Designer Ken St. Andre, a lifelong resident of Phoenix, Arizona, confirmed that Quartz is fictionalized version of the real town of "Quartzite" [sic].

Quartzsite is featured in the Oscar-winning movie Nomadland.

William Hogan's 1981 coming-of-age novel The Quartzsite Trip is set largely in the town of Quartzsite.

title: Quartzsite, Arizona


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Salome, Arizona

Salome (, Tolkepaya Yavapai: Wiltaika) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,162 at the 2020 census. It was established in 1904 by Dick Wick Hall, Ernest Hall and Charles Pratt, and was named after Pratt's wife, Grace Salome Pratt.

Geography
Salome is located in eastern La Paz County at 33.76361°N, -113.60861°W (33.763728, -113.608555). U.S. Route 60 runs through the community, leading east 54 mi to Wickenburg and west 25 mi to Interstate 10 between Brenda and Quartzsite.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Salome CDP has a total area of 86.3 km2, all land.

Southwest of central Salome is Harcuvar, (Mohave name implying 'there is little sweet water') which has a Kampgrounds of America and RV park.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,690 people, 780 households, and 502 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 61.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,176 housing units at an average density of 42.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.1% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 2.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 3.1% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. 18.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 780 households, out of which 16.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.6.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.3% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $22,866, and the median income for a family was $24,805. Males had a median income of $23,500 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,872. About 16.7% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

Gallery
Pictured are the following images of structures and monuments related to Salome:
 * The Salome Hotel – built in 1904 and located at 42370 Vicksburg Road in Salome, Arizona. The building once housed the Kofa Café.
 * Stage Stop ruins in Salome
 * The Oasis Cafe building – built in 1930 and located at 67600 US Highway 60.
 * The Salome Santa Fe Depot warehouse
 * Dick Wick Hall's grave marker
 * The grave of Dick Wick Hall – the founder of Salome, Arizona is located at the intersection of Center and Hall Streets.
 * The Dick Wick Hall house ruins located at the intersection of Center and Hall Streets.
 * Old 1915 "Where She Danced" building
 * Old 1910 Abandoned Justice Court building
 * The Westward Motel – built in 1942 is located at 66915 Avenue C.
 * The Little Roadside Chapel – built by Paul and Lora Marks and located at 68630 Salome Rd.
 * The 9-11 Memorial – located at 66710 Highway 60. The monument was built honoring the victims of the terrorists’ attacks of September 11, 2001.
 * Piece of Steel from the World Trade Towers located in the 9-11 Memorial

Notable person

 * Dick Wick Hall, humorist and writer

title: Salome, Arizona


text:
Wenden, Arizona

Wenden is an unincorporated community in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 728 at the 2010 census, up from 556 in 2000. For statistical purposes the United States Census Bureau has designated Wenden as a census-designated place (CDP).

History
Wenden has experienced two 100-year floods due to the flooding of the Centennial Wash. Residents were forced to evacuate to higher ground in the nearby town of Salome during these extreme rainfall events, in 2000 and 2010.

Geography
Wenden is located in eastern La Paz County. U.S. Route 60 passes through the town, leading northeast 48 mi to Wickenburg and southwest 30 mi to Interstate 10 between Brenda and Quartzsite.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Wenden CDP has a total area of 38.7 km2, all land.

Climate
This area has a large amount of sunshine year round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Wenden has a desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 556 people, 207 households, and 150 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 37.4 PD/sqmi. There were 309 housing units at an average density of 20.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.0% White, 1.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 12.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.2% of the population.

There were 207 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,870, and the median income for a family was $25,208. Males had a median income of $27,153 versus $15,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,674. About 25.1% of families and 31.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.0% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Wenden, Arizona


text:
Apache Junction, Arizona

Apache Junction (Western Apache: Hagosgeed) is a city in Pinal and Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,499, most of whom lived in Pinal County. It is named for the junction of the Apache Trail and Old West Highway. The area where Apache Junction is located used to be known as Youngberg. Superstition Mountain, the westernmost peak of the Superstition Mountains, is to the east.

History
The location became a historical landmark. It is part of a scenic byway that was opened to the public in 1922 and is currently part of a 120 mi "circle trail" that begins and ends in Apache Junction. The O'odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O'odham (Upper Pima), and Hohokam people all have tribal ties to the area.

Geography
Apache Junction is in northern Pinal County at 33.41504°N, -111.54602°W. A small portion of the city limits comprising the El Dorado Mobile Estates Resort and Senior Cottages of Apache Junction extends west into Maricopa County. The city is bordered to the west partly by the city of Mesa and to the southeast by unincorporated Gold Canyon. Downtown Phoenix is 33 mi to the west via U.S. Route 60, which also leads east 54 mi to Globe. Arizona State Route 88, following the route of the old Apache Trail, leads northeast from Apache Junction through the Superstition Mountains 45 mi to State Route 188 at Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

Apache Junction is located in the east part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 35.1 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 0.03%, were listed as water.

The town is bounded to the east by the Superstition Mountains (a federal wilderness area and home of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine) and to the north by the Goldfield Mountains with the Bulldog Recreation Area. Goldfield Ghost Town, a tourist location preserved from former prospecting days, lies near the western face of Superstition Mountain just off Highway 88 (Apache Trail). It is located just southwest of the site of the ghost town of Goldfield.

In October 2021, Apache Junction annexed ten square miles south of the city's previous southern boundary.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Apache Junction has a hot semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSh" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Apache Junction was 119 F on June 26, 1990, and July 27–28, 1995, while the coldest temperature recorded was 17 F on January 14, 2007.

Demographics
Apache Junction first appeared on the 1970 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was formally incorporated as a city in 1978.

As of the census of 2010, there were 35,840 people, 15,574 households, and 9,372 families residing in the city. The population density was 929.3 PD/sqmi. There were 22,771 housing units at an average density of 665.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.9% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.4% of the population.

There were 15,574 households, out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population had 19.9% under the age of 20, 4.5% from 20 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.5 years.

The median income (as of the 2000 census) for a household in the city was $33,170, and the median income for a family was $37,726. Males had a median income of $31,283 versus $22,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,806. About 7.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Apache Junction was incorporated as a city on November 24, 1978. The city is governed by a collection of elected officials, clerk, and nine boards and commissions. The city council has seven members, which includes the mayor and vice-mayor. The mayor serves a two-year term. The current mayor is Chip Wilson, Vice Mayor Christa Rizzi.

Historic structures
This gallery includes images of some of the remaining historical structures located in Apache Junction. Among the exhibits on the grounds of the Superstition Mountain Museum are studio sets and other Western paraphernalia that were saved from the Apacheland fire of 1969. Apacheland was a 1,800-acre movie set that opened in 1960. Also located in Apache junction is the ghost town of Goldfield. Goldfield was a mining town established in 1893 next to Superstition Mountain. When the mine vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town eventually became a ghost town. The town and its historic buildings were revived as a tourist attraction.

Transportation
Apache Junction is located along U.S. Route 60.

Apache Junction is not served by local buses. Greyhound Lines serves Apache Junction on its Phoenix-El Paso via Globe route.

title: Apache Junction, Arizona


text:
Avondale, Arizona

Avondale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 89,334, up from 76,238 in 2010 and 35,883 in 2000.

Avondale, incorporated in 1946, has experienced rapid residential and commercial growth in the years since 1980. Once primarily a sparsely populated farming community with many acres of alfalfa and cotton fields, Avondale has transformed into a major bedroom suburb for Phoenix.

History
William "Billy" G. Moore, arrived in Arizona in the late 1860s, settling near the Agua Fria River in 1880. Moore called bought land and named his settlement "Coldwater, Arizona" - apparently for both the river and the water that flowed from a local spring. He served a brief stint as Justice of the Peace for the Agua Fria area. He eventually established a stage stop near Agua Fria crossing, the Coldwater Stage Station in the 1880s. The state station was one of the very earliest stage stations in the region, supplying travelers with provisions on their way from Tucson to northern Arizona and California. A saloon and a general store were also built, bringing in more commerce for the settlement.

The post office was established in 1896 at a site near Avondale Ranch. From 1901 until 1905, William Moore served as Postmaster of the Coldwater post office. The post office eventually became known as Avondale, taking the name of the nearby ranch, and the name Coldwater was discontinued. In December 1946, the City of Avondale was incorporated.

Subsequent development resulted in a conglomeration of styles and architecture along Western Avenue typical of small western towns, with ranching, the railroad, and cotton farming as the main industries. Recently, the city has seen tremendous growth in new development, both residential and commercial, while the Old Town area along Western Avenue preserves the historic business district and safeguards opportunities for small, independent businesses.

Avondale is a modern city, near the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Over the last decade, population growth took place at a rate of over 114%, making the city one of the fastest-growing in Maricopa County.

Geography
Avondale is located at 33.43361°N, -112.34972°W (33.435322, −112.349758). It is bordered to the west by Goodyear, to the north by Litchfield Park, and to the east by Phoenix and Tolleson.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 47.9 sqmi, of which 0.3 sqmi, or 0.54%, are water. The Gila River crosses the southern part of the city, joined from the north by the Agua Fria River.

Interstate 10 crosses the northern part of Avondale, with access from exits 129 through 133A. The freeway leads east 15 mi to Downtown Phoenix and west 134 mi to Blythe, California.

Climate
Avondale has a large amount of sunshine year-round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, the city has a Hot desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.

Winters are sunny and mild with nighttime lows averaging between 40 °F and 50 °F (4 °C and 10 °C) and daytime highs ranging from 60 °F to 75 °F (16 °C to 24 °C). The record low temperature recorded in Avondale is 16 °F (−9 °C). Summers are extremely hot, with daily high temperatures at or above 100 °F (38 °C) for the entirety of June, July, and August, as well as many days in May and September. An occasional heat wave will spike temperatures over 115 °F (46 °C) briefly. Nighttime lows in the summer months average between 70 °F and 80 °F (21 °C and 27 °C), with an occasional overnight low above 80 °F (27 °C) not uncommon. Avondale's record high temperature stands at an impressive 125 °F (52 °C), a few degrees warmer than the record for Phoenix, and just 3 °F shy of Arizona's state record of 128 °F (53 °C), recorded in Lake Havasu City on June 29, 1994.

Snow is rare in the area, occurring once every several years. Lows in the winter occasionally dip below freezing, which may damage some desert plants such as saguaros and other cacti. In the summer (mainly July, August, and early September), the North American Monsoon can hit the Phoenix area in the afternoon and evening (possibly continuing overnight), causing rain showers even from a sunny morning. Dust storms are occasional, mainly during the summer.

Gila and Salt River Meridian
The surveying marker of the Gila and Salt River Meridian is located on Monument Hill. Ever since 1851, this has been the center point used by the state to measure the land in Arizona. The federal government recognized this point for measuring the boundary between the United States and Mexico after the Mexican–American War ended. The first survey, conducted in 1867, involved the first 36 mi of Arizona. Up until 1874, this was the epicenter of all surveying in Arizona for property deeds. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 2002, Reference #02001137. Monument Hill is located at 115th Avenue and Baseline Road in Avondale.

2020 census
Avondale first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as the 45th Precinct of Maricopa County (AKA Coldwater). In 1930, it simply appeared as the Coldwater Precinct. It was recorded as having a Spanish/Hispanic majority for that census (the census would not separately feature that racial demographic again until 1980). With the combination of all county precincts into three districts in 1940, it did not report on that census. In 1946, it was incorporated as the town of Avondale, and has appeared on every census since 1950. In 1959, it upgraded to a city.

As of the census of 2000, there were 35,883 people, 10,640 households, and 8,724 families residing in the city. The population density was 869.7 PD/sqmi. There were 11,419 housing units at an average density of 276.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 63.27% White, 5.20% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 1.89% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 24.32% from other races, and 3.89% from two or more races. 46.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,640 households, out of which 47.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.66.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.2% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 17.7% 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 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,153, and the median income for a family was $51,084. Males had a median income of $35,134 versus $27,487 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,919. About 10.3% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Top employers in Avondale as of 2022.

Sports

Avondale is home to Phoenix Raceway. Since 2020, Phoenix Raceway has served as host of the annual NASCAR championship race, each November. It holds two NASCAR Cup Series races, two Xfinity Series races, a NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series race, an ARCA Menards Series race, and an ARCA Menards Series West race annually.

Avondale Parks and Recreation Department offers sports for both youth and adults.

Parks
City parks:
 * Alamar Park, 4155 S El Mirage Rd
 * Las Ligas, 12421 W Lower Buckeye Road
 * Festival Fields, 101 E. Lower Buckeye
 * Donnie Hale Park, 10857 West Pima St.
 * Friendship Park / Dog Park, 12325 West McDowell
 * Mountain View, 201 E Mountain View Drive
 * Sernas Plaza Park, 521 E Western Ave
 * Fred Campbell Park, 101 E Lawrence Blvd
 * Dennis DeConcini, 351 E Western Ave
 * Dessie Lorenz Park, 202 E Main St
 * Doc Rhodes Park, 104 W Western Ave

Government
Avondale falls within Arizona's 3rd Congressional District, served by Representative Raúl Grijalva and Arizona's 19th State Legislative District, served by Representatives Lorenzo Sierra and Diego Espinoza and Senator Lupe Contreras, all Democrats.

Mayors

 * Troy G. Fincher, ca.1949
 * Russell H. Brinker, ca.1959
 * Laverne R. Turner, ca.1963
 * Thomas F. Morales, Jr., ca.1996
 * Ronald J. Drake, ca.2000-2005
 * Marie Lopez Rogers, ca.2006-2013
 * Kenneth N. Weise, 2014-present

Education
Avondale is served by the Littleton Elementary School District, the Avondale Elementary School District, the Agua Fria Union High School District and Tolleson Union High School District.Within city boundaries are four public high schools—Agua Fria High School, La Joya Community High School, Westview High School and West Point High School.

Avondale also has several charter schools. Legacy Traditional School and Imagine Schools for elementary and middle school education, and Estrella High School and St. John Paul II Catholic High School for high school.

Estrella Mountain Community College, established in 1992, is located in the city. Rio Salado College, a part of the Maricopa County Community College District, has a satellite building in Avondale. Universal Technical Institute and Empire Beauty Schools also have campuses in Avondale.

Transportation
Avondale is served by Valley Metro Bus. The Avondale ZOOM neighborhood circulator provides local service within Avondale. Avondale is also served by local routes 3 (Van Buren Street, 17 (McDowell Road), 41 (Indian School Road, express route 563 to Downtown Phoenix, and rural route 685 connecting Ajo and Phoenix.

Healthcare
The public hospital system, Valleywise Health (formerly Maricopa Integrated Health System), operates Valleywise Community Health Center – Avondale. Its sole hospital, Valleywise Health Medical Center, is in Phoenix.

Phoenix Children's Hospital has satellite facilities (Emergency Department - Avondale, and Sports Medicine PT - Avondale), at the corner of Avondale Boulevard and McDowell Road, and Avondale Boulevard and I-10 respectively.

Notable people

 * Mitch Garcia, professional soccer player, graduated from Agua Fria High School
 * Shawn Gilbert, professional baseball player; played high school baseball at Agua Fria High School
 * Everson Griffen, defensive end for USC Trojans and Minnesota Vikings; attended Agua Fria High School
 * Nick Harris, punter for NFL's Detroit Lions; attended Westview High School
 * Drisan James, wide receiver for CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats; attended Westview High School
 * Craig Mabbitt, vocalist for band Escape the Fate and former vocalist for bands Blessthefall and The Word Alive; attended Westview High School
 * Randall McDaniel, former NFL offensive guard, inducted into National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame in 2008 and Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009; he was a sprinter at Agua Fria High School
 * Clancy Pendergast, defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs
 * Shelley Smith, professional football player

title: Avondale, Arizona


text:
Buckeye, Arizona

Buckeye is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is Arizona's largest city by area, and it is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 91,502, up from 50,876 in 2010, and 6,537 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing city in the United States for 2017, 2018, and 2021.

History
The Buckeye area was first inhabited by the Hohokam culture. In 1877, Thomas Newt Clanton led a group of six men, three women, and ten children from Creston, Iowa, to Arizona, where they settled in the Buckeye area.

Early settler Malie M. Jackson developed 10 mi of the Buckeye Canal from 1884 to 1886, which he named after his home state of Ohio's moniker, "The Buckeye State". The town was founded in 1888 and originally named "Sidney", after Jackson's hometown in Ohio. However, because of the significance of the canal, the town became known as Buckeye. The name was legally changed to Buckeye in 1910. The town was incorporated in 1929, at which time it included 440 acre. The town's first mayor was Hugh M. Watson (1956–1958), who founded the Buckeye Valley Bank. Today, Watson Road is the site of the city's commercial center.

In 2008, Buckeye was featured on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer as part of a week-long series entitled "Blueprint America".

A vote to designate the town as the City of Buckeye became effective in 2014.

In May 2019, population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau placed Buckeye as the fastest growing city in the United States by percentage from 2017–2018, growing by 8.5%.

Geography
Buckeye is located approximately 30 mi west of downtown Phoenix in the Buckeye Valley. Interstate 10 passes through the central part of the city, north of the original town center. U.S. Route 80 once passed through the city, while Arizona State Route 85 skirts what was the city's west edge. The city limits now extend 30 mi to the north and 16 mi to the south of the original town center.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 393.2 sqmi, of which 0.2 sqmi, or 0.04%, were listed as water. The Gila River flows westward through the Buckeye Valley south of the center of the city. The Buckeye Hills and Little Rainbow Valley are to the south, beyond which the city limits extend as far as Margies Peak. To the north the city limits include the southern part of the White Tank Mountains and continue north nearly as far as Circle City. The Hassayampa River, a tributary of the Gila, flows southward through the northern part of the Buckeye city limits.

Soils in Buckeye are alkaline and mostly well drained loam or clay loam except in northern neighborhoods such as Verrado, where gravelly sand or sandy loam with varying degrees of excessive drainage are common.

Neighborhoods
The original Buckeye was built around downtown's main street, Monroe Avenue. There are currently nearly 30 master planned communities planned for Buckeye. Those communities under development in which homes are occupied include Riata West, Sundance, Verrado, Westpark, Tartesso and Festival Ranch.

Other unbuilt planned communities within Buckeye include Douglas Ranch (planned for nearly 300,000 inhabitants), Sun Valley Villages, Spurlock Ranch, Trillium, Elianto, Westwind, Silver Rock, Sienna Hills, Henry Park, Southwest Ranch and Montierre.

Sundance Towne Center, a shopping center developed by Vestar Development in the Sundance community, opened in 2007.

Climate
Buckeye has a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh), with abundant sunshine due to the stable descending air of the eastern side of the subtropical anticyclone aloft and at sea level over the southwestern United States. Summers, as with most of the Sonoran Desert, are extremely hot, with 121.0 afternoons reaching 100 F and 181.6 afternoons reaching 90 F. The record high temperature of 128 F occurred on July 28, 1995, and temperatures above 86 F may occur in any month. Cooler weather may occasionally occur during summer, but such periods are no less unpleasant as they result from monsoonal weather, with its attendant higher cloudiness and humidity; however, actual rainfall from the monsoon is much more infrequent than in Flagstaff, Nogales or even Tucson. The heaviest daily rainfall has been 4.90 in on September 2, 1894, but between 1971 and 2000 no month had more rainfall than 4.52 in in December 1984.

The winter season from November to March is warm to very warm during the day, not much cooler than 68 F during a typical afternoon, but 20.2 mornings typically fall to or below 32 F, though no snowfall was recorded during the 1971 to 2000 period, and only twelve afternoons did not reach 50 F. The coldest temperature recorded in Buckeye was 11 F on January 8, 1913.

Demographics

Buckeye first appeared on the 1910 U.S. Census as a precinct of Maricopa County. It appeared again in 1920 as the 48th precinct of Maricopa County (Buckeye). It incorporated as a town in 1929 and has appeared on every successive census. On January 1, 2014, Buckeye was upgraded to city status.

In 2015, the population of the city was 62,582 people living in 21,628 households.

As of the census of 2010, there were 50,876 people residing in 16,499 households in the city. The population density was 135.6 PD/sqmi. There were 18,207 housing units. 10.8% of the population were born overseas.

In terms of age brackets, the population was spread out, with 9.1% under the age of 5; 30.6% under the age of 18; 53% aged between 18 and 64 and 6.7% were 65 years of age or older. 45.4% percent of the population are women.

From 2012 to 2016, the median income for a household in the town was $58,711. The per capita income for the town was $20,446. Both of these numbers are in 2016 dollars. About 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line.

Economy
Top employers in the city of Buckeye as of 2018.

Parks and recreation
A popular recreation destination in Buckeye is the Buckeye Hills Recreation Area. It is located 7 mi south of downtown Buckeye on State Route 85, at mile marker 144. A 900 acre Buckeye Lake is planned.

The City of Buckeye's Skyline Regional Park is an 8700 acre mountain preserve located in the southern White Tank Mountains. As of August 2020, the park features just under 20 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, picnic areas and camping. Entry to the park is free.

Education
The city of Buckeye is served by the following school districts:
 * Wickenburg Unified School District
 * Saddle Mountain Unified School District #90
 * Agua Fria Union High School District
 * Buckeye Union High School District
 * Arlington Elementary School District
 * Buckeye Elementary School District
 * Liberty Elementary School District
 * Litchfield Elementary School District
 * Morristown Elementary School District
 * Palo Verde Elementary School District

Other schools:
 * The Odyssey Preparatory Academy

Estrella Mountain Community College recently renovated the original historic Buckeye Union High School building on Eason Avenue near 9th Street, also known as the "A" Wing, and started holding classes in this new satellite facility in the fall of 2011. Named the Buckeye Educational Center, this facility provides academic courses, job training programs and community education classes.

Media
There are several local newspapers, including the West Valley View, and The Arizona Republic's Southwest Valley edition, the Buckeye Independent and the Buckeye Press.

Defunct media organizations include The Buckeye Star, Buckeye Valley News and the Buckeye Sun.

Transportation
Buckeye is served by five highways, a municipal airport, several nearby airports, and the railroad.

Roads
Major roadways serving the city include:
 * I-10.svg Interstate 10
 * Sun Valley Parkway
 * Maricopa County (MC) 85
 * Maricopa County (MC) 85

Bus
Buckeye is served by Valley Metro via a rural bus line connecting Phoenix–Goodyear–Gila Bend–Ajo. Valley Metro also provides express commute service from Buckeye to downtown Phoenix.

Rail
In 1910, the Arizona Eastern Railroad came to Buckeye; the first car in 1911; a steam rail line connected it to Phoenix by 1912; and a state highway by 1915. The coming of the railroad was so significant that the business district was moved to accommodate the location of the railroad station. As a result, Buckeye was booming. By 1912, major buildings were constructed, along with expansion of the business community.

Union Pacific operates a rail line running east–west generally through the center of the city.

Air
The Buckeye Municipal Airport (ICAO identifier KBXK) is owned and operated by the city government.

Notable people

 * Kole Calhoun, Cleveland Guardians outfielder (2012–present)
 * Sue Hardesty (1933–2022), writer
 * Upton Sinclair (1878–1968), author

title: Buckeye, Arizona


text:
Carefree, Arizona

Carefree is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is a suburb of both Phoenix and Scottsdale, located in the far northeast area of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the population of the town was 3,690.

History
Characterized as an upscale residential area, Carefree was conceived in the mid-1950s by business partners K.T. Palmer and Tom Darlington as a master-planned community. Land sales commenced in 1955 and homebuilding started in 1958. Carefree was incorporated in 1984 to avoid annexation by neighboring Scottsdale.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,927 people, 1,389 households, and 995 families residing in the town. The population density was 330.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,769 housing units at an average density of 200.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98% White, <1% Black or African American, <1% Native American, <1% Asian, <1% from other races, and 1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3% of the population.

There were 1,389 households, out of which 14.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples, 3.2% had a single owner, and 28.3% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.44.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 12.7% under the age of 18, 2.0% from 18 to 24, 15.4% from 25 to 44, 40.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $88,702, and the median income for a family was $105,699. Males had a median income of $61,050 versus $38,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $62,433. About 2.0% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under the age of 18 and 3.2% of those 65 and older.

Geography and climate
Carefree is in northeastern Maricopa County, bordered by the city of Scottsdale to the south and east and by the town of Cave Creek to the west. Carefree and Cave Creek are sometimes thought of as a single community. The two towns share the local landmark Black Mountain, which rises more than 1000 ft above them, to an elevation of 3398 ft.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.8 sqmi, of which 0.004 sqmi, or 0.05%, are listed as water.

Carefree has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) with hot summers and mild winters, avoiding a designation of arid by being located closer to the rain-catching central mountains of Arizona, so that it receives about 70 percent (around 5.3 in) more rainfall annually than does Phoenix. There are 141 afternoons annually with highs of at least 90 °F, 63.4 afternoons of at least 100 °F, and three afternoons that exceed 110 F. During the winter, 8.3 mornings will fall below freezing; the coldest temperature reported in Carefree is 15 F, which occurred on January 13, 1963, and January 7, 1971. Snowfall, although infrequent, can occur. The last measurable snow was February 22, 2019, accumulating 3–6" depending upon the elevation. Rainfall is sometimes heavy during winter fronts or monsoonal storms; the wettest month on record is January 1993 with 9.37 in, which helped produce a record “rain year” total of 26.20 in between July 1992 and June 1993; in contrast between July 1962 and June 1963, only 6.98 in was recorded.

Sites of interest
The Carefree sundial, designed by architect Joe Wong and solar engineer John I. Yellott, was erected in the Sundial Circle plaza in 1959 and claims to be the "third largest sundial in the Western Hemisphere". The sundial, which points to the North Star, is made from a steel frame and covered in anodized copper. It measures 90 ft in diameter. The metal gnomon, the shadow-casting portion of the dial, stands 35 ft above the plaza and extends 72 ft.

Carefree was the long-time home of Southwestern Studios, originally built in 1968 as Fred Graham Studios by actor, stunt man, and Arizona Film Commissioner Fred Graham. The sprawling 160 acre desert property adjacent to North Scottsdale featured three state-of-the-art soundstages, edit bays, 35mm screening room, make-up, production facilities, western street and back lot. In the early 1970s, Stage 1 of the studio was used for The New Dick Van Dyke Show starring Dick Van Dyke, Hope Lange, Fannie Flagg, and Marty Brill. Stage 1 also was used for the filming of one of Orson Welles' last films, The Other Side of the Wind, with John Huston, Oja Kodar, Susan Strasberg, Bob Random and Peter Bogdanovich.

The studio was used for the filming of Bob Hope's last feature film, Cancel My Reservation, with Eva Marie Saint, Ralph Bellamy, and Forrest Tucker. Scenes were also shot in Carefree and at the studio for Michaelangelo Antonioni's Zabriskie Point, on the back lot, where a mock-up of the Carefree mansion was built and then exploded. The studio was also used for Paul Newman's scenes in Pocket Money, for Bill Cosby's feature debut, Man and Boy, for which the western street was built, and for Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, again the western street. The short, silent feature Time River was shot on Stages 2 and 3 and extensively on the back lot and western street sets.

Southwestern Studios was also used in television productions. In 1973–74, local resident Hugh Downs produced and hosted two pilot episodes for a unique show, Foursome, that was both a game show and talk show, where four celebrities came together to play various games and interact with each other. In one episode, actors Janet Leigh and Robert Culp and comedians Jo Anne Worley and Alan Sues played a game of tennis. In the other episode, shot on Stage 3, dancer-singer-actor Ann Miller, Robert Culp, Jo Anne Worley, and Alan Sues played a popular board game. In 1974, Southwestern Studios was the location on Stage 2 and the back lot for the filming of the TV movie, McMasters of Sweetwater, starring Jack Cassidy and Loretta Ball and directed by Robert Butler.

Later renamed Carefree Studios, the studio was razed in 1999. The studio, western street, and pristine desert back lot property was developed into retail space and residential development.

Gordon Lightfoot wrote and sang a song named "Carefree Highway". He took the name from a section of Arizona State Route 74 in north Phoenix, to explain his mood at that time. The highway runs from the foot of (North) Tom Darlington Drive at the South-West corner of Carefree about 30 miles westward to Lake Pleasant Parkway in Peoria, AZ.

Education
The town is served by Cave Creek Unified School District.

Transportation
Arizona State Route 74 runs along the south border of Carefree. Cave Creek Road runs along the east edge of Carefree, then curves and becomes an east-west road through Carefree.

Cave Creek is not a member of Valley Metro and does not have local bus service.

Notable residents

 * Eric Bischoff, entrepreneur and professional wrestling producer
 * Frederick J. Brown, visual artist
 * Howell Conant, fashion photographer, associated with Grace Kelly
 * Hugh Downs, broadcaster, television host, news anchor
 * Michael Haugen Jr., professional ten-pin bowler and winner of five PBA Tour titles
 * Kathleen Hite, scriptwriter for television and radio
 * Wilhelm Kuhweide, German Olympic gold medalist, 1964; four-time world sailing champion
 * David Lapham, comic book artist
 * Dick Stockton, sportscaster
 * Dick Van Dyke, actor

title: Carefree, Arizona


text:
Cave Creek, Arizona

Cave Creek is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 4,892.

History
Cave Creek was settled in 1870 by soldiers on horseback from Fort McDowell. In 1873, prospectors from the Bradshaw Mountains found gold in the town. The town is named for the cave next to the creek the town was founded on.

Geography
Cave Creek is a town in the Sonoran Desert. It sits in northern Maricopa County on the northern edge of Paradise Valley, with mountains rising to the north that eventually connect with the New River Mountains and the Black Hills. It is 33 mi north of downtown Phoenix, although the Phoenix city limits extend north to Cave Creek's southern border. The town is bordered to the east by the town of Carefree, to the west by unincorporated New River, and to the north by Tonto National Forest. Elephant Mountain rises to an elevation of 3926 ft in the northernmost part of the town. Local landmark Black Mountain, elevation 3398 ft, is in the southern part of town on the border with Carefree.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Cave Creek has a total area of 37.7 sqmi, of which 0.008 sqmi, or 0.02%, are listed as water. Cave Creek flows through the western side of the town southward into Phoenix, where it disappears into the Salt River valley.

In 2000, the state of Arizona, Maricopa County, and the town of Cave Creek bought Spur Cross Ranch, a 2154 acre tract of Sonoran desert just north of Phoenix, for $21 million. It had unusual cacti, stone formations, and hundreds of pre-historic Hohokam Indian tribal artifacts, and is now a Maricopa County park.

Climate
Cave Creek is located in a semi-arid climate, receiving more rainfall than a desert climate. Cave Creek is at a higher elevation, and therefore is cooler than the lower elevations of the Phoenix area. The hot season lasts for 3.5 months, from May 31 to September 19, with an average daily high temperature at or above 93 F. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 102 F and low of 74 F.

The cool season lasts for 3.4 months, from November 20 to March 1, with an average daily high temperature below 69 F. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of 37 F and high of 65 F.

In July–September, the North American monsoon season brings rain and thunderstorms to the Cave Creek area. The wettest month of the year is August, with an average of 6 days of rain, and averaging 1.77 in.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,728 people, 1,571 households, and 1,101 families residing in the town. The population density was 132.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,753 housing units at an average density of 62.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.0% White, <0.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population.

Out of the 1,571 households some 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 36.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $59,938, and the median income for a family was $76,549. Males had a median income of $50,399 versus $31,607 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,070. About 6.0% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Historic properties located at the Cave Creek Museum include the Tubercular Cabin (listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)), the First Church of Cave Creek, and Golden Reef Stamp Mill. Two historic properties have been converted into restaurants: the Cave Creek Inn, and the Cave Creek Service Station (listed on NRHP). Another location, Frontier Town, has some of Cave Creek's original structures.

Every year the Sonoran Arts League holds an open studio event involving approximately 40 artists home in the area of Cave Creek, "Hidden in the Hills".

Government
In June 2009, Cave Creek attracted media attention when a game of chance was used to break a tie in a vote for Town Council. The drawing of playing cards led to the victory of 25-year-old law student Adam Trenk over incumbent Town Council member Thomas McGuire. The Arizona State Constitution allows a game of chance to be used to break ties.

"Where the Wild West Lives" was adopted as the town motto by the Cave Creek Town Council during a November 2013 meeting.

Education
The portion of Cave Creek west of longitude 111°59'44.21"W is served by Deer Valley Unified School District, and the remainder of the town is served by Cave Creek Unified School District.

Transportation
Cave Creek residents use Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or Mesa Gateway Airport to fly on commercial airlines. Deer Valley Airport, the closest airport to Cave Creek, is a very active general aviation airport.

Cave Creek is not a member of Valley Metro and therefore, does not have local bus service.

The junction of Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway is located at the south edge of Cave Creek.

Notable people

 * Sonny Barger, founder of the Oakland chapter of the Hells Angels
 * Brian Dales, singer of The Summer Set
 * Shane Doan, NHL player for the Arizona Coyotes
 * Kiowa Gordon, actor
 * David Henrie, actor
 * Taylor Lewan, NFL player for Tennessee Titans, drafted in 2014
 * Earl Simmons, the rapper and actor DMX
 * Dee Dee Wood, Emmy Award-winning choreographer

title: Cave Creek, Arizona


text:
Chandler, Arizona

Chandler is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, and a suburb in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area. Chandler is considered to be a part of the East Valley.

As of the 2020 census, the population of Chandler was 275,987, up from 236,123 at the 2010 census. Chandler is a commercial and tech hub for corporations like Intel, Northrop Grumman, Wells Fargo, PayPal and Boeing.

History
In 1891, Dr. Alexander John Chandler, a Canadian and the first veterinary surgeon in the Arizona Territory, settled on a ranch south of Mesa and studied irrigation engineering. By 1900, he had acquired 18000 acre of land and began drawing up plans for a town-site on what was then known as the Chandler Ranch. The town-site office opened on May 16, 1912.

The original town-site was bounded by Galveston Street to the north, Frye Road to the south, Hartford Street to the west, and Hamilton Street to the east. By 1913, a town center was established, featuring the Hotel San Marcos, which also had the first grass golf course in the state. Chandler High School was established in 1914. Chandler was officially incorporated on February 16, 1920, after 186 residents petitioned the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to approve incorporation.

Most of Chandler's economy was sustained during the Great Depression (though the Depression was to blame for the cancellation of a second San Marcos hotel), but the cotton crash a few years later had a much deeper impact on the city's residents. A.J. Chandler lost his San Marcos hotel to creditors as a result. Later, the founding of Williams Air Force Base in 1941 led to a small surge in population, but Chandler still only held 3,800 people by 1950.

By 1980, the population had grown to 30,000, and it has since paced the Phoenix metropolitan area's high rate of growth, with suburban residential areas and commercial use areas swallowing former agricultural plots. The population has nearly doubled in the last twenty years. Some of this growth were fueled by the establishment of manufacturing plants for communications and computing firms such as Microchip, Motorola and Intel.

Geography
According to the 2020 census, Chandler has a total area of 65.55 sqmi, of which 0.07 sqmi, or 0.11%, are listed as water. The center of the city, along Arizona State Route 87, is 22 mi southeast of Downtown Phoenix.

Chandler is in proximity to/borders the San-Tan mountain range. The San-Tan mountains are in the jurisdiction of the Gila River Indian Community.

Chandler is divided into three parts: North Chandler, West Chandler and South Chandler, each being divided by the Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) and Loop 101 (Price Freeway).

2020 census
American Community Survey estimates, there were 280,684 people and 106,712 households. The population density was 4276.2 PD/sqmi. There were 113,092 housing units at an average density of 1722.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 56.0% White, 13.4% Asian, 7.6% Black or African American, 4.4% some other race, 1.0% Native American or Alaskan Native, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, with 17.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 21.2% of the population.

Of the 106,712 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.2% had seniors 65 years or older living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 7.4% were couples cohabitating, 18.3% had a male householder with no partner present, and 23.6% had a female householder with no partner present. The median household size was 2.61 and the median family size was 3.12.

The age distribution was 23.8% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males.

The median income for a household was $98,664, with family households having a median income of $116,362 and non-family households $66,304. The per capita income was $50,247. Out of the 279,322 people with a determined poverty status, 7.6% were below the poverty line. Further, 9.3% of minors and 7.6% of seniors were below the poverty line.

In the survey, residents self-identified with various ethnic ancestries. People of German descent made up 13.0% of the population of the town, followed by Irish at 10.1%, English at 8.5%, American at 5.7%, Italian at 4.5%, Polish at 1.9%, Scottish at 1.7%, French at 1.6%, Arab at 1.5%, Sub-Saharan African at 1.5%, Norwegian at 1.2%, Dutch at 1.1%, Swedish at 1.0%, French Canadian at 0.6%, Russian at 0.6%, Scotch-Irish at 0.5%, and Greek at 0.5%.

Economy
Computer chip manufacturer Intel has two locations in Chandler. Other high-technology manufacturing firms have partnerships with Chandler, their operations employing approximately 25% of non-government workers in 2007.

Since 2003, more than 2,900 jobs and investments totalling $3 billion have been created along the Price and Santan freeways, in the Price Road Corridor. The 1300000 sqft Chandler Fashion Center, opened in 2001.

Companies headquartered in Chandler include Keap, Microchip, and Rogers. Bashas' headquarters is in a county island surrounded by Chandler.

Top employers
According to the City of Chandler Economic Development Division, leading employers in the city are:

Arts and culture

Chandler holds an annual Ostrich Festival at Tumbleweed Park to commemorate when ostrich farms in the area produced plumes for women's hats during the 1910s.

Chandler also holds an annual ceremony to light a tree made from tumbleweeds; a ceremony founded in 1957 when Chandler sought an alternative way to decorate the city during the Christmas holidays.

Venues, galleries and museums include:
 * Chandler Center for the Arts, a 1,500-seat regional performing arts venue, which is shared by the City of Chandler and the Chandler Unified School District.
 * The Vision Gallery, a fine arts gallery featuring regional artists.
 * The Arizona Railway Museum, located at Tumbleweed Park.

Several sites in Chandler are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the McCullough–Price House and the San Marcos Hotel.

The Chandler Public Library serves Chandler and the greater East Valley. The main library is in Downtown Chandler, with two branches elsewhere in the city: Sunset, Basha (shared with Basha High School), and Hamilton (shared with Hamilton High School).

Parks and recreation

Tumbleweed Park hosts the annual Ostrich Festival, the Fourth of July Fireworks Festival and the annual Day of Play. It features a recreational center with equipment suited for fitness.

Hamilton Aquatic Center is a shared-use aquatic facility, located within Hamilton High School's campus.

Nozomi Aquatic Center is a shared-use aquatic facility which includes a 25 yard, 8-lane competition pool.

Veterans Oasis Park is located at the city's highest point, at 1311 ft. It includes a wildlife preservation and designated horse and walking trails.

City government
Chandler is represented by a mayor, a vice mayor and five city council members. The vice mayor is elected by the city council from among its members. The mayor, vice mayor and council members represent the entire city and are not elected from districts or wards.

Kevin Hartke was elected mayor in 2017.

Federal representation
The north central section of the city and the western "leg" of the city are within Arizona's 4th congressional district, served by Representative Greg Stanton, a Democrat. The rest of Chandler is within Arizona's 5th congressional district, served by Representative Andy Biggs, a Republican.

State representation
Chandler's western "leg" and a small, narrow portion of the adjacent northern part of the city are within Arizona's 18th Legislative District, served by Representatives Denise Epstein and Jennifer Jermaine, and Senator Sean Bowie, all Democrats. The rest of the city is in Arizona's 17th Legislative District, served by Representatives Jennifer Pawlik and Jeff Weninger, and Senator J. D. Mesnard, one Democrat and two Republicans.

Elementary and secondary

Chandler is served by the Chandler Unified School District, Kyrene Elementary School District, Tempe Union High School District, Mesa Public Schools, and Gilbert Public Schools.

Catholic and charter schools include Basis Schools, Seton Catholic Preparatory, and Legacy Traditional Schools.

Post-secondary
Post-secondary educational institutions located in Chandler include: The University of Arizona Chandler, International Baptist College, and the two-year Chandler-Gilbert Community College, which serves 13,000 students.

Airports
Chandler Municipal Airport is a two-runway general aviation facility. Stellar Airpark is a privately owned municipal airport open to the public.

Freeways and highways
Chandler is served by three limited access highways:
 * Loop 202, the Santan Freeway, which divides North and South Chandler.
 * Loop 101, the Price Freeway, which was fully completed in 2001.
 * Interstate 10, which runs through the city's westernmost border.

Railroads
Chandler is served by two single-track branch lines of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Healthcare
Hospitals in Chandler include Chandler Regional Medical Center, and Banner Ocotillo Medical Center.

Notable people

 * Ryan Bader, MMA fighter
 * Cody Bellinger, MLB player for the Chicago Cubs
 * Hunter Bishop (born 1998), baseball player
 * Jakob Butturff, professional ten-pin bowler
 * Zora Folley, professional heavyweight boxer
 * Austin Hollins (born 1991), basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
 * Markus Howard, Marquette all-time leading basketball scorer
 * Cameron Jordan, football player for the New Orleans Saints
 * Shawn Michaels, professional wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer
 * Patrick Murphy, MLB pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
 * James Rallison (TheOdd1sOut), YouTube animator
 * Chase Lucas, football player for the Detroit Lions
 * Waylon Jennings, American singer-songwriter and musician

Sister cities
Chandler has two sister cities:
 * 🇮🇪 Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland
 * 🇹🇼 Tainan, Taiwan

title: Chandler, Arizona


text:
El Mirage, Arizona

El Mirage is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 35,805, up from 31,797 in 2010.

History
The Hohokam Native American tribe were the earliest inhabitants of the area that is now El Mirage. The ingenious Hohokam developed an elaborate irrigation network using only stone instruments and organized labor. They were commonly known as the "Canal Builders".

During the early 1930s, migrant farm workers settled in El Mirage on the west bank of the Agua Fria River. Mexican migrants came to El Mirage to help build the canals and harvest the first crops. Farming and agriculture remain central to El Mirage's economy, but it has witnessed a robust industrial growth over the past few decades, emerging as a diverse urban community.

In 1977, the city annexed 2,000 acres of land for a proposed planned community with apartments, shopping centers, and industrial development. Immediately following this announcement Attorney General Bruce Babbitt, sued in an attempt to undo this annexation due to its proximity to Luke Air Force Base. The lawsuit failed, but prompted the cities of Glendale and Goodyear to work together to buy land surrounding the base to stop any further annexations.

In the early eighties, El Mirage announced its plans for economic redevelopment. The city planned to build more housing but the centerpiece of the plan was a $20 million resort and convention center, along with a golf course. A spring training baseball stadium, medical center, and auto mall were also pitched for the area. The proposed redevelopment sat, however, only five miles north from the Air Force base’s runway. Once again officials from Luke Air Force Base and other government officials began to raise concerns and turn public opinion against the project. City officials travelled to Washington D.C. to fight the land use disputes, arguing that the base had known about the land acquisitions leading to the redevelopment plans and could have raised concerns before it spent the money purchasing land and making deals with companies. Ultimately, nothing would be built on the land largely due to the concerns from Luke AFB. As a result of all of this, in 2009 when Luke Air Force Base was bidding to get the new F-35 fighter jets, El Mirage was an outlier among local cities. While many cities stood behind the Air Force base’s bid wanting to keep the base operational, El Mirage voiced its opinion against the facility. The city believed that the base had hurt its financial potential and would continue doing so.

The city became an incorporated town on June 25, 1951. The city held a special election to become a city in 1983, and has continued to grow since.

Geography
El Mirage is located along the Agua Fria River and U.S. Route 60 within the northwestern part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is bordered to the east by Youngtown, to the south by Glendale, to the northwest by Surprise, and to the northeast by unincorporated Sun City. Downtown Phoenix is 19 mi to the southeast via US 60.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.95 sqmi, of which 0.06 sqmi, or 0.56%, are water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 7,609 people in 2,121 households, including 1,737 families, in the city. The population density was 786.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,162 housing units at an average density of 326.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 66.3% White, 3.3% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 26.2% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. 66.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,121 households 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% were non-families. 13.0% of households were one person and 3.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.59 and the average family size was 3.87.

The age distribution was 36.8% under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median household income was $33,813 and the median family income was $33,468. Males had a median income of $25,176 versus $19,192 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,342. About 12.6% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 22.0% of those age 65 or over.

El Mirage is near Luke U.S. Air Force Base, the largest Fighter Pilot Training Base in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Education
El Mirage’s roughly 5,500 preK - 12th grade students are served by the Dysart Unified School District.

Public Elementary Schools

 * El Mirage Elementary - opened 1958
 * Surprise Elementary- opened 1976
 * Thompson Ranch Elementary - opened 2004
 * Riverview Elementary - opened 2008
 * Dysart Middle School - opened 2021

Public High Schools
 * Dysart High School - opened 1963
 * Sundown Mountain - opened 2004, alternative school for only 11th and 12th grades
 * Valley Vista High School - opened 2006, although not located in El Mirage, El Mirage residents north of Waddell Rd./Thunderbird Rd. are zoned for Valley Vista.

El Mirage also has various private schools. Desert Choice School, a school design specifically for special education, Sun Valley Christian School, and Valley Learning Center, a pre-school and daycare.

title: El Mirage, Arizona


text:
Fountain Hills, Arizona

Fountain Hills is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Known for its impressive fountain, once the tallest in the world, it borders the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Scottsdale. The population was 23,820 as of the 2020 census. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses it was the eighth-fastest-growing place among cities and towns in Arizona. The median value of an owner-occupied housing during the period 2016-2020 was estimated at $402,100.

History
Before the development of Fountain Hills, the area was home to the Yavapai people, and petroglyphs can be found near the Dixie Mine in the northwest corner of the town along the mountains.

In the early 20th century, the area that became Fountain Hills and the McDowell Mountain Regional Park was part of the Pemberton Ranch, later renamed the P-Bar Ranch. Fountain Hills High School is built on the site of one of the P-Bar Ranch's buildings, and a plaque stands in the parking lot to commemorate this.

Fountain Hills was developed by C. V. Wood, president of McCulloch Oil, and was named after the towering man-made fountain in the center of town. The town was incorporated in 1989.

Geography
Fountain Hills is in eastern Maricopa County, on the eastern edge of the Phoenix urbanized area. It is 31 mi northeast of downtown Phoenix and sits on the east side of the south end of the McDowell Mountains. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 20.4 sqmi, of which 0.1 sqmi, or 0.42%, are water. The elevation is 1520 ft at the fountain, 500 ft higher than in Phoenix. The elevation reaches 3190 ft on the western border of the town, on a spur of the McDowell Mountains.

To the east of the town is the Verde River, a tributary to the Salt River. Inside the town there are many washes that run through Fountain Hills into the Verde River. Some of these washes include the Ashbrook, Balboa, Legend, and Colony Washes. During times of rain the washes flood with water and can sometimes block roads with their water. Signs mark several of the intersections of washes and major streets in the town.

To the southwest and northwest regions of Fountain Hills are the McDowell Mountains, a chain of extinct volcanic remnants. The highest mountains in the range are East End (4067 ft), McDowell Peak (4034 ft), and Thompson Peak (3982 ft), all in neighboring Scottsdale.

Climate
The area has a large amount of sunshine year round due to its stable descending air and high pressure. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fountain Hills has a hot desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2020, there were 23,820 people in 11,918 households in the town. The population density was 1113.8 PD/sqmi. There were 13,167 housing units at an average density of 577.5 /sqmi. The ethnic makeup of the town was 94.1% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race make up 4.1% of the population.

There were 11,918 households, out of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. Householders living alone make up 25.7% of all households, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.56.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 14.4% under the age of 18, 85.6% 18 years and over, and 27.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53.9 years. There were 47.8% males and 52.2% females.

According to the 2020 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in Fountain Hills for the period 2016-2020 was $85,200.

The per capita income for the town was $59,791. About 3.3% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

The Fountain
Fountain Hills has the world's fourth-tallest fountain, and the second tallest in the United States. It was built in 1970 in Zürich by Robert P. McCulloch, the year before the reconstruction of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, another of McCulloch's projects. The fountain sprays water for about 15 minutes every hour on the hour between 9am and 9pm. The plume rises from a concrete water-lily sculpture in the center of a large man-made lake. The fountain, driven by three 600 hp turbine pumps, sprays water at a rate of 7000 USgal per minute through an 18 in nozzle. With all three pumps under ideal conditions, the fountain reaches 560 ft in height, though in normal operation only two of the pumps are used, with a fountain height of around 300 ft. When built it was the world's tallest fountain, a record it held for over a decade.

The Town of Fountain Hills has partnered with EarthCam to bring live streaming views of its world-famous fountain. The live stream camera can be accessed on the Experience Fountain Hills website. To help celebrate the fountain's 50th year, the town installed a new LED lighting system with four lights mounted directly under the fountain and six lights on the shore for a total of 10 lights to provide ample lighting and still meet the Dark Skies regulations.

International Dark Sky Community
In January 2018, the town of Fountain Hills was designated an International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association. The town is one of only two International Dark Sky Communities located near a large metropolitan area. , 34 communities in the world have earned the Community designation, among Dark Sky Reserves, Parks, and Sanctuaries. The Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association (FHDSA) worked with town council and town staff to change outdoor lighting and sign ordinances to address light pollution. This designation is a result of both geography and lighting ordinances. The community is shielded from the lights of the larger cities in the Phoenix metro region by the McDowell Mountains to the west. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to the east, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to the south, and the McDowell Mountain Regional Park all help the town preserve its dark skies. The absence of street lights and the presence of only low-impact outdoor lighting creates an outstanding environment for stargazing. The Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association is currently working to develop a 15000 sqft International Dark Sky Discovery Center that will include a Dark Sky Observatory, Hyperspace Planetarium, Inspiration Theater, and an Immersion Zone. Fountain Hills was the home to Charles W. Juels' Fountain Hills Observatory, where 475 asteroids were discovered between 1999 and 2003, including 20898 Fountainhills.

Events
The town hosts a number of events each year at Fountain Park, including three large art fairs: the Spring Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts and the Fall Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts, both presented by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the town hosts a St. Patrick's Day celebration in which the town's fountain is dyed green. The Greening of the Fountain tradition began in 1979. Other signature events include a 4th of July celebration, an annual Music Fest, Irish Fest, and Concours in the Hills — a car show which featured over 1,000 vehicles and 50,000 attendees in February 2024.

Arts
Fountain Hills is home to one of the largest public art collections in Arizona. The art collection, which features over 150 pieces, is part of a partnership between the Town of Fountains Hills and the Public Art Committee of the Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association. Art is a significant part of the Town's heritage. The eight fountains along the Avenue of the Fountains were the beginning of the public art collection. Bronze sculptures and fountains with Community Profile themes ranging from the whimsical to the serious dot the streets and adorn the public buildings, plazas and parks. The collection also contains a wide variety of other art types and media, including paintings, stone, photography and metals. Residents and visitors are invited to wander the streets or take the "Art Walk" guided tour.

Fountain Hills Theater is a performing arts venue entering its 28th season and offering over 16 productions a year to local communities as well as performing an arts education year-round for youth.

Government
Fountain Hills has a council–manager system. The current mayor of Fountain Hills is Ginny Dickey, first elected in August 2018, and reelected in 2020 and 2022. The current Town Council consists of the mayor and six councilmembers. Councilmembers include Vice Mayor Brenda Kalivianakis, Gerry Friedel, Peggy McMahon, Sharron Grzybowski, Allen Skillicorn, and Hannah Toth. Councilmembers serve four-year terms, and the mayor serves a two-year term. The council selects a town manager, attorney, and magistrate. Rachael Goodwin has been the Town Manager since 2023.

The town contracts its law enforcement services with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

The Fountain Hills Fire Department has two fire stations. Dave Ott is the fire chief.

Fountain Hills is in Arizona's 1st congressional district and Arizona's 3rd state legislative district.

Education
Fountain Hills Public Schools are part of the Fountain Hills Unified School District #98. The district provides education from pre-school through high school with Little Falcons Preschool, McDowell Mountain Elementary, Fountain Hills Middle School, and Fountain Hills High School. The district has small class sizes at an average of 18:1, and it includes a special education program, Fountain Hills Virtual Academy, and a career and technical education program.

Media
The Fountain Hills Times Independent is the town's weekly newspaper. The paper has a weekly circulation of about 3,000.

Independent Newsmedia, Inc. is the parent company, and it also owns Valley Newspapers, a commercial printing plant located near Deer Valley Airport. The company also publishes community newspapers in Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Florida, and it owns a press in Delaware. The Times also publishes the Fountain Hills/Rio Verde Telephone Directory, Fountain Hills Community Guide, Fountain Hills HOME.

Notable people

 * Kathy Ahern, professional golfer
 * Steven Alker, professional golfer
 * Joe Arpaio, former Maricopa County Sheriff
 * Charles Juels, astronomer
 * David Schweikert, U.S. Congressman

Sister cities

 * 🇸🇻 Concepcion de Ataco, El Salvador
 * 🇩🇪 Dierdorf (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)
 * 🇵🇱 Zamość, Poland

title: Fountain Hills, Arizona


text:
Gila Bend, Arizona

Gila Bend (O'odham: Hila Wi:n), founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is near the community's current location. As of the 2020 census, the population of the town was 1,892.

Just outside the town is the San Lucy district (O'odham: Weco Cekṣanĭ) of the Tohono O'odham Nation, with a small settlement, San Lucy (O'odham: Si:l Mek) bordering the town itself.

Oyadaibuc
The town of Gila Bend is situated near an ancient Hohokam village. Father Eusebio Francisco Kino was the first European to visit, arriving in 1699 on his first journey of exploration to the Colorado River. The Hohokam site along the fertile banks of the Gila River had been abandoned, and other tribes lived in the vicinity. 132 Pima people lived in a ranchería called Oyadaibuc, or as Kino named it San Felipe y Santiago del Oyadaibuc, near the modern town, and other Pima lived in three rancherias up river to the north mixed with the Cocomaricopa or Opa. During one of his three visits to Gila Bend, Kino counted 960 Opas living in their own rancherias down river to the west of Oyadaibuc as far as a few miles beyond Agua Caliente. The Opa and Pima used the flood waters of the river to irrigate their crops.

Oyadaibuc was also visited by Juan Bautista de Anza, commander of the Presidio at Tubac and founder of the city of San Francisco, and by Father Francisco Tomas Garces in 1774. As late as the 1820s Maricopa were living at Gila Bend. After the 1820s, the Maricopa, under relentless pressure from the Yuma and other tribes, and population loss from epidemics, were compelled to leave the Gila Bend and join the Pima in the Middle Gila region. By the time of the California Gold Rush, the Maricopa villages were all located east of the Sierra Estrella, on the Gila River, below the Pima Villages.

Tezotal
During the Mexican–American War, the expeditions of Kearny (1846), Cooke (1847) and Graham (1847) passed through the area but found no village. Only Graham found corn stubble on the riverside with which to graze his cattle. From 1849, what became the Southern Emigrant Trail passed through the area, which by 1854 had acquired the name Tezotal or Tesotal, from the scientific name of the desert ironwood tree (Olneya tesota), given it in the botanical report of the Boundary Survey along the Gila River led by William H. Emory.

Gila Ranch
From 1857, the place at 33.00052°N, -112.69884°W was named "Gila Ranch" and was a stagecoach water and camping stop on the San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line. In 1858. as "Gila Ranch Station", it was a stage station on the more famous Butterfield Overland Mail route to California. Gila Bend Station was located 17 mi east of Murderer's Grave Station and 40 mi west of Maricopa Wells Station across the waterless Forty Mile Desert. In 1859, Desert Station was established with its own well on West Prong Waterman Wash, roughly midway across the Forty Mile Desert. Also two tanks were established, one midway between Desert Station and Gila Ranch and the other midway between Desert Station and Maricopa Wells stations, to water the horses. The two riverside stations carried the water to supply these tanks. In 1860 the Gila Ranch station was burned down, but soon rebuilt. In 1861, the Butterfield line shut down, but during the American Civil War Gila Ranch remained a stop for freighters to and from the riverport of Arizona City on the Colorado River, passing travelers, the troops of the Confederate Army that briefly passed through and then the California Column of the Union Army that invaded Confederate Arizona and occupied New Mexico Territory in 1862.

Gila Bend
After the Civil War, from 1866 other stage routes were established in the Arizona Territory, and the Gila Ranch Station again was an active stage station. A settlement, Gila Bend, grew up around it from 1865 and acquired a post office at the station on May 1, 1871. Stage and freight routes, especially from the mining camps and boom towns in central Arizona, converged here especially after the railroad arrived in 1879. In 1880, after wells had been drilled by the railroad near their Gila Bend station (that was located away from the river), the population began to move to settle at a new town 4 mi south-southwest of the old one near the station. Among the first to move was the postmaster at the old stage station, now postmaster of the new town.

The nickname the "Crossroads of the Southwest" stems from the area having been part of an important transportation route in the settling, development and growth of the American Southwest. Gila Bend was the "center of a wheel", with spokes leading in many directions.

A more recent event in the area was the October 1995 sabotage of the Amtrak Sunset Limited train.

On December 14, 2006, Volkswagen of America, Inc., leased 11900 acre of land at a cost of $55 million for 25 years, 10 mi west of Gila Bend, on which they plan to develop a new automobile proving ground.

Gila Bend enjoys a minor notability among tourists and aficionados of roadside attractions. Besides the quirky welcome sign, the town boasts several roadside sculptures and the Space Age Lodge motel and restaurant (opened in 1963), named for its "Space Age" themed architecture and decor.

In 2010 Abengoa Solar secured a US$1.45 Billion loan guarantee to build a large 280 megawatt concentrated solar power plant in Gila Bend. It was estimated that the project would employ a peak of 1,500 workers, with an operational permanent employment of approximately 85 workers. The Solana Generating Station began providing power for Arizona Public Service in 2013.

Geography
The town is in southwestern Maricopa County, just off Interstate 8 on Arizona State Route 85, which provides access between I-8 and Interstate 10 to the north of Gila Bend. In recognition of historical routes that pass through the area, the town's website refers to Gila Bend as "The Crossroads of the Southwest". It is 68 mi southwest of Phoenix via I-10 and AZ 85, 122 mi northwest of Tucson via I-10 and I-8, and 116 mi east of Yuma via I-8.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 64.4 sqmi, all of it land. Situated at 735 ft above sea level, Gila Bend has the lowest elevation of any city in Maricopa County and in Greater Phoenix overall.

Climate
Gila Bend has an arid desert climate, characterized by extremely hot summers and warm winters. The average annual rainfall is approximately 7 inches (177.8 mm).

During the winter months, daytime highs average about 65 °F to 75 °F (18 °C to 24 °C). As typical with the desert in relatively undeveloped areas, there is nothing to keep the heat continuing after the sun sets, so temperatures rapidly drop after sunset. Sometimes this swing can be larger than 30 degrees. This means that average wintertime night lows are about 40 °F to 50 °F (4 °C to 10 °C), with an occasional night lower than 40 °F (4 °C). The all time lowest recorded temperature in Gila Bend was 10 °F (−12 °C), which occurred on January 13, 1963.

Gila Bend has extremely hot summers with the highest temperatures recorded for the state of Arizona, and temperatures at or exceeding 110 °F (41 °C) are the norm for the entirety of summer as well as the beginning of September. Even the month of May experiences some days above 100 °F (38 °C). With an average July high of 109 °F (43 °C), temperatures exceeding 115 °F (46 °C) are common for the area, especially for that particular month. Lows during the summer are generally in the upper 70s and low 80s. The all-time highest recorded temperature in Gila Bend is 122 °F (50 °C), which occurred on June 26, 1990, and again on July 28, 1995.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,980 people, 659 households, and 492 families residing in the town. The population density was 86.7 PD/sqmi. There were 766 housing units at an average density of 33.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 51.3% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 10.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 32.4% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. 52.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 659 households, out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.51.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,895, and the median income for a family was $30,403. Males had a median income of $25,284 versus $20,588 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,793. About 22.2% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 23.8% of those age 65 or over.

Historic properties
This is a list of some of the remaining historic structures in Gila Bend. The following is not pictured:
 * The Stout Hotel was built in 1927 and is located at 113 East Pima Street. Known as "The Jewel of the Desert", the hotel ceased its operations in the 1980s. The hotel is listed as historical by the Henry C. Trost Historic Organization. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on September 24, 2018, ref. #100002980.
 * Gatlin Site – address restricted. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places October 15, 1966, reference# 66000183.
 * Gila Bend Overpass – The overpass was built in 1933–34. It is located on the Business Route 8 over the Southern Pacific railroad line. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966, reference# 88001607.
 * The Gila Bend Steam Locomotive Water Stop – was built in 1900 and is located near Murphy Street.
 * Gillespie Dam Highway Bridge – Northwest of Gila Bend. The bridge was built in 1927 over the Gila River and is located on Old Highway 80 north of Gila Bend and south of Arlington between the Buckeye Hills and the Gila Bend Mountains in Maricopa County. The bridge was at the time the longest highway bridge in the state of Arizona. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 1981, reference #81000136.
 * Gillespie Dam – ruins of the Gillespie Dam as viewed from Gila Bend.
 * Painted Rock Petroglyph Site – Along Rocky Point Road Northwest of Gila Bend. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 25, 1977, reference# 77000238.
 * The Fortaleza – address restricted. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places June 23, 1969, reference# 69000035.

Historic structures pictured
The following are the images of the historic structures in Gila Bend and its surrounding areas.

title: Gila Bend, Arizona