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Payson, Arizona

Payson is a town in northern Gila County, Arizona, United States. Due to Payson's location being very near to the geographic center of Arizona, it has been called "The Heart of Arizona". The town is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and the ninth largest national forest in the United States.[1][2]

Payson boasts a lively festival calendar, including The World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo, established in 1884, as well as the Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin' Championship which celebrates the area's musical heritage.

As of the 2020 census, the population of Payson was 16,361.

History
Prior to the arrival of European-American settlers, the area was known as Te-go-suk—or Place of the Yellow Water—by the Dilzhe'e Apache. The area was also historically inhabited by the Yavapai and Puebloan peoples, including the Hohokam, Mogollon, and Sinagua cultures.

In 1882, considered to be the founding year of Payson, area settlers established a logging, mining, and ranching hamlet called “Green Valley."

That same year, the Battle of Big Dry Wash—fought between troops of the United States Army's 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 6th Cavalry Regiment, and members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe—took place just north of town on the Mogollon Rim. The battle occurred within the greater context of the Apache Wars.

On March 3, 1884, a post office was built in "Green Valley" with the help of Illinois Representative Levi Joseph Payson. In honor of the representative's help, the town's name was changed to "Payson".

Payson had its first rodeo in 1884. The town declares the competition to be the world's oldest and continuous rodeo as it has been held every year since.

In 1918, author Zane Grey made his first trip to the area surrounding Payson. He would visit with regularity through 1929, and he purchased two plots of land near Tonto Creek, including 120 acre from Sampson Elam Boles under Myrtle Point. Grey wrote numerous books about the area, and he also filmed movies in the area, such as To the Last Man. His cabin is located in Green Valley park.

During Prohibition, the manufacture, sale, and distribution of liquor was plentiful in Payson. These transactions took place on historic Bootleg Alley. “Payson Dew,” brewed across 30 to 40 stills in the Payson area, was coveted from as far away as Los Angeles, California. The drink helped to reinvigorate Payson’s economy.

During the 1930s, an effort was initiated to better connect Payson to the outside world through the construction of roads and highways. At that time, the town was very isolated—with a trip from Phoenix to Payson taking eight to twelve hours. Throughout the 1950s, work progressed on a paved road from Phoenix to Payson, and the road was completed in 1958. The highway, State Route 87 (also known as the "Beeline Highway"), was later expanded to four lanes.

Payson was officially incorporated in 1973.

Ellison Creek & East Verde River flooding
On July 15, 2017, heavy rains from upstream of the creek and river caused the waterways to swell, subsequently leading to downstream flooding. This flash flood crucially affected the popular Water Wheel swimming hole where 10 people were killed and 4 others were injured.

Geography
Located in northern Gila County at an elevation of 5000 ft, the town has a total area of 19.5 sqmi. The Mogollon Rim, the southern boundary of the Colorado Plateau, lies to the north of Payson, with elevations exceeding 7500 ft. There are many cold water lakes on top of the rim; they are stocked with fish by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Payson is adjacent to the Tonto Apache Reservation, and it is bordered to the east by the town of Star Valley. Other nearby communities are Pine, Strawberry, Gisela and Rye, all within Gila County. Globe, the Gila County seat, is 80 mi to the south via State Routes 87 and 188. State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, leads 90 mi southwest to Phoenix and 90 mi northeast to Winslow. State Route 260 leads 90 mi east to Show Low.

Zane Grey Country

"Zane Grey Country" is a term for the area around Payson. This term was most often used in the 1970s and 1980s, and appeared in the header of the local newspaper, the Payson Roundup. In recent times, it has fallen somewhat out of favor, as the term "Rim Country" has become more popular among locals.

Climate
Owing to its elevation of 5000 ft, Payson is in a transitional area between a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) and a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk). The town straddles USDA Hardiness Zone 7b and 8a, and it is surrounded by high desert pinyon-juniper woodlands; ponderosa pine; stands of Arizona cypress and live oak; and the mixed conifer forests of the Mogollon Rim escarpment.

While average summer daytime temperatures climb above 90 °F, the town's elevation keeps it protected from the extreme heat found in Arizona's lowland deserts—though temperatures do occasionally reach 100 °F. Early summer is characterized by hot and dry weather, with elevated wildfire risk, whereas mid-to-late summer is tempered by the North American Monsoon. The monsoon brings frequent, sometimes severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and flash floods. On average, Payson receives 7 in of monsoonal moisture across the months of July, August, and September.

Diurnal temperature variation is large throughout the year. Even in summer, the difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows exceeds 30 degrees.

Winter is often sunny with mild days and cold nights. In December and January, nighttime lows typically fall below 32 °F—with the coldest nights of the year falling below 20 °F. By mid-afternoon, however, average daytime temperatures surpass 50 °F. While most winter precipitation falls as rain, Payson receives an average of 18.5” of snow each year, spread across six days of measurable snowfall. Snow melts quickly, and any lingering snow cover is minimal.

Desert wildflowers are common in the spring. Blooms include a fiery array of Indian paintbrush blossoms, primroses, poppies, lupines, larkspurs, daisies, and the golds and fuchsias of cactus flowers (and other brightly colored wildflowers).

Demographics
As of the census of 2019, there were 15,297 people living in Payson, AZ and is the 2,788th largest city in the United States. 5,832 households, and 4,070 families residing in the town. The population density was 791 people per square mile, which is 1275% higher than the Arizona average and 773% higher than the national average. There were 7,033 housing units at an average density of 361.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.5% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 2.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. 9.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,832 households, out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.1% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 15.3% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 36.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 57.1 years. This is approximately 54% higher than the Arizona average of 37. The male/female ratio was 0.9:1. English was spoken by 93% of people and Spanish was spoken by 5% of people.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,638, and the median income for a family was $38,713. Males had a median income of $30,900 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,513. About 6.5% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

The United States Forest Service has jurisdiction of 97% of the land around Payson; the town is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest and by tribal governments. Much of the land is available for recreational activities. Payson also has many hiking trails available to use. The Tonto Natural Bridge, the largest known natural bridge in the world, is located just northwest of Payson in Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, a unit of the Arizona State Park system. The area incorporates three golf courses, two of which belong to private country clubs. Mazatzal Casino, a tribal casino, is operated by the Tonto Apache Reservation near the south end of the city.

The Payson area is a popular destination for rock hounds. In various areas surrounding the community, quartz crystals can be found, some rivaling Herkimer diamonds in quality, as well as geodes, agate and onyx. Fossils are commonly found in the Paleozoic strata that is exposed along the Mogollon Rim to the north and west of Payson along State Route 87 and State Route 260.

Payson has two parks, Green Valley Park and Rumsey Park. It also has two lakes, which are part of the Urban Fish Program. Payson hosts free outdoor concerts in the summer. Other activities include intramural sports like baseball and football. Payson also has a small skate park.

Payson hosts a Fourth of July fireworks display at Green Valley Park.

Culture

Payson is the site of the annual Arizona State Old Time Fiddlin' Championship, held in September. The fiddle contest features both local and nationally known instrumentalists, and it awards cash prizes.

Rodeos
Payson hosts two rodeos. In May, the Multi-Purpose Event Center near the Tonto Apache Reservation hosts the Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo. In August, Payson hosts the historic August Doin's Rodeo (1884), which makes Payson the "Home of the World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo". Prescott, Arizona, 100 miles to the northwest, is known for hosting the "World's Oldest Rodeo" (1888), but it took a hiatus during World War II.

Mogollon Monster

Forestlands surrounding Payson, and throughout central, northern, and eastern Arizona, serve as the backdrop to the legend of the Mogollon Monster—described as a large, bipedal, ape-like creature with a pungent smell, similar to Bigfoot. The legend came to local prominence in 1947 when a "big, hairy beast" raided a Boy Scout camp near Tonto Creek.

Education
The town is served by the Payson Unified School District.

A branch of Gila Community College is located in Payson.

Police department
The Payson Police Department serves both the Town of Payson and Town of Star Valley. , the department is authorized to staff 32 sworn officers which includes the chief, lieutenant, five sergeants, four detectives, two school resource officers, two speciality positions (GIITEM and Traffic), and patrol. In 2021, officers responded to more than 16,000 calls for service.

The police department also staffs a 24/7 dispatch center that is the primary public safety answering point (PSAP) for northern Gila County. In addition to dispatching for Payson PD, they also dispatch for the Tonto Apache Police Department, Town of Payson Fire Department, Hellsgate Fire District, Pine/Strawberry Fire District, Christopher Kohls Fire District, Waterwheel Fire District, and Gisela Valley Fire District.

Transportation
The Payson Senior Center operates the Beeline Bus, which provides local bus service to Payson, Star Valley, and Mesa del Caballo. Mountain Valley Shuttle stops in Payson on its Phoenix–Show Low route.

Historic structures
The following are images of some of the historic structures recognized by the local government.
 * The Haught Cabin – Henry and Sarah Haught built their log cabin in 1904 of alternating layers of logs and chinking in Roberts Mesa. The Haught's cabin measured 10′ by 18′. It had a dirt floor and no windows. The cabin was moved to Tonto Creek and by 1930, it was abandoned. In 1999, the cabin was moved once more, this time to the Green Valley Park and reassembled on the museum's grounds which is located at 700 South Green Valley Parkway.
 * The Sidles Mud House – Henry Sidles built the poured mud home in 1882. The mud house, located at 505A W. Main Street, was later purchased by August and Wilhelmina Pieper.
 * The Pieper Mansion – August and Wilhelmina Pieper built a new house which became known as the "Pieper Mansion" in 1893. Located at 505 W. Main Street, the Piepers moved in and used the Sidles mud house for storage.
 * The Ranger Station – This is the oldest Ranger Station still standing in the Southwest. It belonged to the Payson Ranger District of the National Tonto Forest. The station was built in 1907.
 * The Ranger Family House – was built in 1933 and is the oldest Ranger Family House still standing in the Southwest.
 * The Ranger Office – was built in 1932 and together with the Ranger Station and the Ranger Family House completes the ranger complex of the Payson Ranger District. The three properties are located on the grounds of what is now the Green Valley Park.
 * The Ox Bow Inn and Saloon – built in 1933 and located at 607 W Main Street. The log inn was built as the Payson Hotel and the restaurant was named the Busy Bee. In 1945 the business was purchased and expanded by Jimmy Cox, who renamed the hotel the Ox Bow Inn. The property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 2004, ref.: #04001073.
 * The Tonto Natural Bridge – The landscape formation is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.

title: Payson, Arizona


text:
Peridot, Arizona

Peridot (Tséé Dotłʼizh "Blue Rock" ) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Gila and Graham counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 1,350 at the 2010 census.

Peridot is named for the mineral peridot, found in basalt flows nearby.

Geography
Peridot is located in southeastern Gila County and northwestern Graham County within the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. U.S. Route 70 passes through the community, leading west 20 mi to Globe, the Gila County seat, and southeast 57 mi to Safford, the Graham County seat. The San Carlos River, a tributary of the Gila River, flows southward through the CDP and forms the county boundary. Coolidge Dam, forming San Carlos Lake on the Gila and San Carlos rivers, is 11 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Peridot CDP has a total area of 13.4 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,266 people, 307 households, and 261 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 242.5 PD/sqmi. There were 346 housing units at an average density of 66.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.0% Native American, 1.4% White, and 0.6% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Out of the town's Native Americans, 93.0% are Apache, making Peridot the most Apache community in the United States.

There were 307 households, out of which 50.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.12 and the average family size was 4.50.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 40.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $18,194, and the median income for a family was $18,750. Males had a median income of $19,348 versus $17,102 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $5,765. About 49.4% of families and 58.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 69.9% of those under age 18 and 36.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Peridot-Our Savior's Lutheran School is a Christian K-8 school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Peridot.

Attractions
Specimens of the mineral peridot can be collected in the volcanic hills between Peridot and Globe, or purchased at local rock shops. After wet winters, the Peridot area often has displays of spring wildflowers.

Travel off the main highways requires a tribal recreation permit, available from the San Carlos Recreation and Wildlife department, and at local convenience and sporting-goods stores.

In 2011, the San Carlos Apache Tribe's Language Preservation Program, located in Peridot, began its outreach to the 14,000 tribal members residing within the districts of Bylas, Gilson Wash, Peridot and Seven Mile Wash.

Transportation
San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Transit provides transportation on the reservation and to Safford and Globe. Greyhound Lines serves Peridot on its Phoenix–El Paso via Globe route.

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

title: Peridot, Arizona


text:
Pine, Arizona

Pine is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,953 at the 2020 census. Pine was established by four Mormon families in 1879.

Pine and the adjacent community of Strawberry are rapidly growing vacation and retirement centers in north-central Arizona, below the Mogollon Rim. Pine's elevation is 5448 ft, and the Pine post office was established in 1884.

Geography
Pine is located in northwestern Gila County at 34.385°N, -111.45778°W (34.385067, -111.457709). It is bordered to the north by the Coconino County line, which follows the edge of the Mogollon Rim. To the northwest, Pine is bordered by the community of Strawberry, also in Gila County. Arizona State Route 87 passes through Pine, leading northeast 74 mi to Winslow and southeast 15 mi to Payson.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 84.0 km2, of which 0.02 sqkm, or 0.02%, is water. The built-up part of Pine is situated in the valley of Pine Creek, which flows past Tonto Natural Bridge to the East Verde River 10 mi south of town.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,931 people, 882 households, and 604 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 60.8 PD/sqmi. There were 2,242 housing units at an average density of 70.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.9% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 1.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 882 households, out of which 15.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.57.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 41.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,099, and the median income for a family was $45,947. Males had a median income of $37,955 versus $34,167 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $25,080. About 5.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.3% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Pine, Arizona


text:
San Carlos, Arizona

San Carlos (Sengaah ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 4,038 at the 2010 census, up from 3,716 in 2000.

San Carlos is the largest community in and the seat of government for the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

San Carlos' economy is underdeveloped and is based mainly on retail service industries, construction trades, and public administration.

Geography
San Carlos is located in southeastern Gila County at 33.35111°N, -110.46°W (33.351069, -110.459862). Its eastern border is the San Carlos River, which is also the Graham County line. The San Carlos River flows south 8 mi to San Carlos Lake, an impoundment on the Gila River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 22.2 km2, of which 0.01 km2, or 0.06%, is water.

San Carlos is located within the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,716 people, 921 households, and 754 families living in the CDP. The population density was 420.9 PD/sqmi. There were 994 housing units at an average density of 112.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.6% Native American, 4.6% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 921 households, out of which 49.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 29.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.0 and the average family size was 4.4.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 42.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $13,412, and the median income for a family was $14,219. Males had a median income of $16,216 versus $22,563 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $4,615. About 57.5% of families and 58.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 62.4% of those under age 18 and 56.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Transit provides transportation on the reservation and to Safford and Globe.

Education
San Carlos is served by the San Carlos Unified School District.

title: San Carlos, Arizona


text:
Strawberry, Arizona

Strawberry is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 961 at the 2010 census.

History
In June 1931, the Bureau of Prohibition destroyed a large whiskey still in Sandrock Canyon, north of Strawberry. The still had an estimated worth of $20,000. Seven hundred gallons of "mountain whiskey" were destroyed and three men arrested.

Geography
Strawberry is located in the northwest corner of Gila County at 34.40778°N, -111.49361°W (34.4078063, -111.4934754). It is bordered to the south and east by Pine, and to the north by Coconino County. The county line follows the edge of the Mogollon Rim.

Arizona State Route 87 passes through Strawberry. It is a two-hour drive—108 mi—northeast from Phoenix. The town of Payson is 18 mi southeast via Route 87, and Winslow is 71 mi to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Strawberry CDP has a total area of 24.5 km2, of which 0.01 sqkm, or 0.04%, is water. The community is in the valley of Strawberry Creek, part of the Verde River watershed.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,028 people, 491 households, and 354 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 101.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of 114.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.7% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 491 households, out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.44.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 13.4% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 40.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,739, and the median income for a family was $42,279. Males had a median income of $38,125 versus $26,389 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,609. About 6.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Strawberry, Arizona


text:
Star Valley, Arizona

Star Valley is a town in Gila County, Arizona, United States, incorporated in 2005. Before incorporation, it was a census-designated place (CDP). As of the 2020 census the population of the town was 2,484.

Geography
Star Valley is located in northern Gila County at 34.25444°N, -111.25722°W (34.254353, -111.257165). It is bordered to the west by the town of Payson. Arizona State Route 260 passes through Star Valley, leading west 4 mi into Payson and east 85 mi to Show Low.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 93.6 km2, of which 0.02 km2, or 0.03%, is water. Star Valley sits at an elevation of 4650 ft and takes its name from the valley in which it is located, formed by Houston Creek, which descends to the south through Tonto National Forest to Tonto Creek, a tributary of the Salt River. The town was incorporated as the Town of Diamond Star, but changed its name to Star Valley in 2006.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,536 people, 677 households, and 421 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 241.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,017 housing units at an average density of 160.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.6% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.8% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 10.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 677 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,375, and the median income for a family was $32,045. Males had a median income of $30,966 versus $20,729 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,414. About 4.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The Payson Senior Center operates the Beeline Bus, which provides local bus service between Payson and Star Valley.

Government
Star Valley uses a council-manager government form with a town council. As of February 2020, the mayor is Gary Coon and the current town manager is Timothy Grier.

title: Star Valley, Arizona


text:
Tonto Basin, Arizona

Tonto Basin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,424 at the 2010 United States Census, up from 840 in 2000.

Within Tonto Basin is located in the unincorporated community of Punkin Center.

History
The Pleasant Valley War (also sometimes called the Tonto Basin War or Feud) was an 1886 Arizona range war between two feuding families, the cattle-herding Grahams and the sheep-herding Tewksburys.

Geography
Tonto Basin is located in western Gila County at 33.84°N, -111.28472°W (33.839953, -111.284734), in the valley of Tonto Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Salt River. Arizona State Route 188 passes through the community, leading southeast 49 mi to Globe, the county seat, and north 30 mi to Payson.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Tonto Basin CDP has a total area of 81.1 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 840 people, 439 households, and 262 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 26.8 PD/sqmi. There were 726 housing units at an average density of 23.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.1% White, 1.4% Native American, 0.9% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 439 households, out of which 9.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.38.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 10.4% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 13.5% from 25 to 44, 39.9% from 45 to 64, and 32.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $23,398, and the median income for a family was $29,091. Males had a median income of $30,125 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,157. About 15.9% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Frederick Russell Burnham participated on the losing side in the Tonto Basin Feud of 1886 and narrowly escaped alive. After the feud, he went home to California and left for Africa only a few years later.

In popular culture

 * Tonto Basin is a 1921 Western novel by Zane Grey about a feud between two families.
 * Tonto Basin Outlaws is a 1941 film based very loosely on the Tonto Basin Feud. Cowboys are out to stop a cattle-rustling scandal soon after they enlist with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. In the real-life feud, one man did go on to join the Rough Riders.
 * To the Last Man (film) is a 1933 Henry Hathaway film based on the Zane Grey novel starring Randolph Scott, Esther Ralston, Buster Crabbe, Barton MacLane, Noah Beery, Shirley Temple, and Eugenie Besserer.
 * According to an NPR story on the Lone Ranger, Tonto Basin is the inspiration for Tonto, the Native American companion to the Lone Ranger.

title: Tonto Basin, Arizona


text:
Top-of-the-World, Arizona

Top-of-the-World is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gila and Pinal counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 274 at the 2020 census, up from 231 at the 2010 census, and down from 330 at the 2000 census.

Geography
Top-of-the-World is located in eastern Pinal County at 33.34694°N, -110.99528°W (33.346856, -110.995172). The CDP extends east into Gila County. U.S. Route 60 passes through the center of the community, leading east 15 mi to Globe and southwest 8 mi to Superior. The center of Phoenix is 72 mi to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.7 km2, all land.

History
Located on US-60, 9.1 miles (14 km) west of Miami at the divide between Miami and Superior at the 4,600-foot (1,400 m) level. This area is mostly in Pinal County. Mason’s Valley, named after Charles G. Mason an early settler in Florence, Arizona and a prospector who with others discovered the Globe mining district and also developed the fabulous Silver King Mine north of Superior. “We crossed the lofty Pinal Range over into the beautiful little nook known as Mason’s Valley.”  Today Mason’s Valley is often called both Pinal Ranch and Top-of-the-World, the latter being an unfortunate misnomer from a much later camping and recreation facility that was created in 1922 located  on the old alignment of US-60 in Gila County about two miles west, not in Mason’s Valley.

The name "Pinal" is taken from Pinar Spanish for "pine groves in the mountains," and is the name of the Mountain Range South of Globe, west to Superior, and north to the Salt River. These Mountains were home to the Western Apache Pinal Band of Native Americans, whom the US Military found particularly vexing for their frequent raids to surrounding settlements, ranches, and mines. “(the troops) at Camp Pinal, and it’s dependencies will clear the country (of Indians) lying between the Gila and Salt Rivers and the western boundary of the White Mountain Reservation.”   As a consequence in 1870 a camp was ordered built in the Pinal Mountains to house an infantry camp to serve as a supply post and bivouac camp for Cavalry fighting the Apaches in the mountains. The two dependent camps of Camp Pinal were Camp Picket Post ten miles east on Queen Creek, and a small detachment at a construction camp on the Upper Stoneman Grade called Camp Supply where stone ovens were built and bread for both camps was baked.

The original camp, called Infantry Camp, was located four miles southeast of Mason’s Valley on the divide between Mineral Creek and Pinto Creek at the location of the future Gibson Mine and Bellevue settlement. “A military post is ordered established in the Pinal Mountains, some 50 miles north of Grant, to be called ‘Infantry Camp.’.” “INFANTRY CAMP, Mason’s Valley, A.T.,. - ...on one of the many dry forks at the head of Mineral Creek, a tributary of the Gila. …estimated distance from Camp Grant, fifty-two miles.” “…Stores continue to arrive regular per ‘Hog Express’ as package was marked”. The camp was there a very short time before being relocated to Mason’s Valley, but was still called Infantry Camp. Five months after relocation the Military ordered the name changed to Camp Pinal, and a picket post of Camp Pinal to be located at the foot of Tortilla Mountain on Queen Creek, General Stoneman established both camps and constructed the mule trail between the famously known of Stoneman’s Grade.

The site was abandoned in late in 1871, the last printed mention of troops there was October 20. The troops started the Stoneman Grade at Camp Picket Post at the foot of Picket post Mountain on Queen Creek. It did not enter Queen Creek Canyon. The trail traveled north from Camp Picket Post, up the face of Kings Crown Mountain, around the peak across the headwaters of Queen Creek, across Oak Flats, Devil's Canyon, and up Irion Canyon to Camp Pinal. The military efforts of Stoneman cleared the Southern Pinal Mountains of Apaches, and the Stoneman Grade was the way most early miners and settlers traveled to the Globe-Miami District.

The Pinal Ranch was built at the site of Camp Pinal. The ranch was begun before 1874. First owned by Andy Hawkins and partner Thomas Buchanan. “They built a fine juniper house, corrals and outbuildings. In 1877 they produced 30,000 pounds of potatoes.” Hospitality business was good providing shelter and food for travelers on the Stoneman Trail to Globe. In 1877 Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Irion and Mrs. Irion’s young son Dudley Craig bought out Andy Hawkins.16 The Irion’s improved upon the ranch, and around 1880 bought Buchanan’s share and it remained in the Craig family until the 1970s. The large adobe ranch house is still in good condition, in spite of its 100+ years. They had productive fields for corn and vegetables, and planted a large and productive apple orchard in addition to running cattle on their range. His stepson Dudley Craig continued the ranching tradition in the area after Irion's death.

 * “We crossed the lofty Pinal Range over into the beautiful little nook known as Mason’s Valley.”  Today Mason’s Valley is often called both Pinal Ranch and Top-of-the-World, the latter being an unfortunate misnomer from a much later camping and recreation facility that was created in 1922 located on the old alignment of US-60 in Gila County about two miles west, not in Mason’s Valley.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 330 people, 130 households, and 82 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 54.6 PD/sqmi. There were 184 housing units at an average density of 30.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.8% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 3.0% Native American, 4.2% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. 19.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 130 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $52,731, and the median income for a family was $53,438. Males had a median income of $43,813 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,039. About 5.6% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: Top-of-the-World, Arizona


text:
Winkelman, Arizona

Winkelman is a town in Gila and Pinal counties in Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the town was 353, all of whom lived in Gila County.

History
The community was named after Peter Winkelman, a local cattleman.

Geography
Winkelman is located at the southern tip of Gila County at 32.98806°N, -110.77028°W (32.988142, -110.770240). Winkelman is adjacent to Hayden. The unincorporated community of Dudleyville is south of Winkelman, in Pinal County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 km2, all land. The Gila River passes along the eastern and southern sides of town.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 443 people, 160 households, and 112 families living in the town. The population density was 612.3 PD/sqmi. There were 194 housing units at an average density of 268.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 62.1% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 36.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 74.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 160 households 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 26.3% of households were one person and 11.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.35.

The age distribution was 29.3% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median household income was $25,455 and the median family income was $38,250. Males had a median income of $34,583 versus $17,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,506. About 20.0% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.5% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
Winkelman is home to Winkelman Elementary School and Hayden High School, located adjacent to each other and operated by the Hayden Winkelman Unified School District.

Notable person

 * Alfredo Chavez Marquez (1922–2014), United States District Court judge, born in Winkelman

title: Winkelman, Arizona


text:
Young, Arizona

Young is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 588 as of the 2020 census.

Geography
Young is located in northeastern Gila County at 34.11167°N, -110.92917°W (34.111688, -110.929208), along Arizona State Route 288 (which becomes Gila County 512 to the north). SR 288 is paved within and north of the town, totaling about 10 mi of pavement, but there is no fully paved road connecting Young with other highways. Young is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest.

There are two main roads in and out of Young, one north (from SR 260) and one south (from SR 188). From Arizona State Route 260 between mile markers 284 and 285 (east of Christopher Creek and west of Heber/Overgaard), go south along FR512 for about 26 mi. SR 288's northernmost 3 mi have been paved (as of October 2010), leaving about 13 mi of this road unpaved. The southern route starts at the intersection of SR 188 and SR 288 (near Roosevelt Lake) and continues north along SR 288 for 47 mi. About 15 – is unpaved. Four-wheel drive is recommended during inclement weather.

The nearest cities to Young are Payson, 60 mi by road to the northwest, and Globe/Miami, 65 mi to the south. From the Phoenix area, Young is about 150 mi away and typically takes 2.5 to 3 hours by vehicle. As a result, most medical emergencies are tended to by Air Ambulance.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 123.9 km2, of which 0.1 sqkm, or 0.07%, is water. The community is set in the Pleasant Valley, drained to the southeast by Cherry Creek, a tributary of the Salt River.

History
Young played a central part in the Pleasant Valley War between 1887 and 1897. In September 1887, Sheriff Mulvernon of Prescott led a posse that pursued and killed John Graham and Charles Blevins during a shootout at "Perkins Store".

Demographics
Please note that the 2020 census showed high margins of error for the Young CDP.

As of the census of 2020, there were 588 people, and 235 households in the CDP. The population density was 13.4 PD/sqmi. There were 581 housing units at an average density of 10.06 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.08% White, 0.53% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 2.14% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 3.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Most importantly, 0.36% of the population is named Hunter.

There were 235 households, out of which 8.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average family size was 2.35.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,313, and the median income for a family was $85,673.

Technology and communications
Young first received outside electric power in 1965. Today Young has telephone service both wired (MTE Communications) and wireless. In October 2008, a cellular communications tower was erected on Turner Hill (located in north Young). Another cell tower was built in central Young. No cable television provider exists in Young, so satellite TV is typically used for television. In 2008, a major fiber optics installation was performed throughout the town, providing high speed internet (DSL). Dial-up or satellite Internet is no longer typically used for Internet access,.

Services
There are a number of small businesses in Young. There is a vineyard, two full-service restaurants, one gas station, two convenience stores, an auto parts store, an auto mechanic, a motel, numerous cabins and cottages for rent, a thrift shop, a public library, a refuse service, and a weekly medical clinic. Young also has a resident deputy and a volunteer fire department, and community center.

Education
Only one school exists in Young: Young Public School, serving grades K–12. The school has a low student to teacher ratio. The school was upgraded from a C to an A rating in 2013, the only A rating given to any school in Gila County at that time.

title: Young, Arizona


text:
Pima, Arizona

Pima is a town in Graham County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 2,387, up from 1,989 in 2000. The estimated population in 2018 was 2,512. Pima is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Despite its name, it is not located in nearby Pima County.

History
Pima was settled by Mormon settlers in 1879. It was originally named "Smithville". The first settlers had been living in Forrest Dale, but then were told they had to leave because the location was on Indian land. Unlike other Mormon settlements of the era, Smithville was not planned by the leaders of the church.

Joseph K. Rogers was the first branch president at Pima, being appointed to this office before any of the settlers arrived. The branch was organized into a ward in 1880. In 1930 the ward had 666 members. Pima had a population of 980, and a total of 1,260 people resided within the boundaries of the Pima ward. In 1990 Pima had 1,725 residents.

In 1882 Jesse N. Smith predicted that a Mormon temple would one day be built in Pima. The Gila Valley Arizona Temple is currently at a site between Pima and Thatcher in Central, Arizona, within the boundaries of the Pima Arizona Stake of the Church.

Geography
Pima is located in central Graham County in the valley of the Gila River. U.S. Route 70 passes through the town, leading southeast 8 mi to Safford, the county seat, and northwest 68 mi to Globe.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.4 km2, of which 0.1 sqkm, or 0.76%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,989 people, 663 households, and 521 families residing in the town. The population density was 787.0 PD/sqmi. There were 735 housing units at an average density of 290.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 87.0% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 9.9% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. 20.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 663 households, out of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% 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 3.43.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,985, and the median income for a family was $34,900. Males had a median income of $31,765 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,896. About 15.0% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Transit provides transportation from Pima to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, Safford and Globe.

title: Pima, Arizona


text:
Safford, Arizona

Safford (Western Apache: Ichʼįʼ Nahiłtį́į́) is a city in Graham County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2020 Census, the population of the city is 10,129. The city is the county seat of Graham County.

Safford is the principal city of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Graham County.

History
Safford was founded by Joshua Eaton Bailey, Hiram Kennedy, and Edward Tuttle, who came from Gila Bend, in southwestern Arizona. They left Gila Bend in the winter of 1873-74 because their work on canals and dams had been destroyed by high water the previous summer. Upon arrival early in 1874, the villagers laid out the town site, including a few crude buildings.

The town is named after Arizona Territorial Governor Anson P. K. Safford.

Geography
The Pinaleño Mountains sit prominently to the southwest of town. The Pinaleños have the greatest vertical relief of any mountain range in Arizona.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.6 sqmi, of which 8.6 sqmi is land and 0.03 sqmi (0.18%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2020, there were 10,129 people in the city and the population density was 1,093.02 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 67.7% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 2.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 17.4% from other races, and 17.4% from two or more races, 0.5% from three or more races, and 0.05% from four or five races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.9% of the population.

According to the 2019 American Community Survey, There were 3,313 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no male present, 6.9% had a male householder with no female present, and 35.3% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% of these households had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.55.

With a total of 4102 housing units in the city, 63.4% of homes were owner occupied and 36.6% were renter occupied.

The population consisted of 50.6% males and 49.4% females with the average age being 32.1. 28.4% of the population was under the age of 18 and 71.6% over the age of 18. Further breakdown shows 22.9% of the population being 14 and under, 8.3% being 15-19, 8.9% being 20-24, 13.6% being 25-34, 10.5% being 35-44, 12.3% being 45-54, 8.9% being 55-64, and 14.7% being 65 and over. 84.3% of households speak English alone while 15.4% primarily speak Spanish and 0.3% speak another language.

For those aged 18–24 years, 20.6% have completed less than high school, 29.5% have completed high school or equivalency, 42.5% have some college or an associates degree, and 7.5% hold a bachelors degree. For those aged 25 and over, 3.3% completed less than 9th grade, 9.3% completed 9-12th grade with no diploma, 22.5% completed high school, 38.7% have completed some college, 9.2% hold an associates degree, 12.4% hold a bachelors degree, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree. 15.5% of males aged 25 and over hold some kind of college degree while 27.6% of females 25 and over hold a college degree.

Of the population aged 16 or over, 61.7% are in the labor force and 5.9% of the 18 and over population are veterans. The average household income was $57,904 while the median household income was $50,255. 27.7% of those under 18, 17.9% of those aged 18–64, and 16.9% of those aged 65 and over live beneath the poverty line. In 2017, the poverty line for a single person in the United States was an income of less than $12,060 per year

Climate
The climate is hot semi-arid (Köppen: BSh) softened by the plateau rise (it receives enough rainfall not to fall into a hot desert, BWh ). It is much hotter than most places in eastern Arizona due to its relatively low elevation of 2953 ft at the Agricultural Center where records are kept, and often reaches temperatures almost as hot as found in Phoenix. In January, the average high temperature is 60 °F with a low of 29 °F. In July, the average high temperature is 98 °F with a low of 68 °F. Annual precipitation averages around 9.8 in, and snowfall is exceptionally rare: the mean is around 0.8 in but the median is zero.

Religion
Monastery of St. Paisius, Safford is an Orthodox women's cenobitic community which follows the traditional rule of monastic life. The monastery, under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR)- Western Diocese is situated in the high Sonoran Desert at the base of Mount Graham.

The Town of Safford was incorporated October 10, 1901, and changed to City of Safford in 1955.

Economy
The city's largest employers are Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold, Safford Unified Schools, DRG Technologies Inc, Bowman Consulting Group, Open Loop Energy and Walmart. Recently, Freeport-McMoRan opened two mining facilities just north of the city that make up the largest new mining operation in North America. Arizona State Prison Complex - Safford also employs many residents, as does the Federal Correctional Institution, Safford. Agriculture is considered to be a major economic activity, with cotton fields and a gin located in the city. A billboard along US Highway 70 announces "Safford .... Copper, Cattle & Cotton".

Transportation
The community is served by a freight rail line, the Arizona Eastern Railway, and hosts an air facility, Safford Regional Airport. Additionally the Arizona Department of Transportation is upgrading U.S. Route 191 from Interstate 10 into a full four-lane highway. ADOT is considering putting a U.S. Route 70 loop south of the city that would run from Swift Trail Junction to Thatcher.

San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Transit provides transportation from Safford to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and Globe. Greyhound Lines serves Safford on its Phoenix-El Paso via Globe route with a stop in Thatcher.

Education
The Safford Unified School District serves the entire city of Safford and some minor outlying areas. The nearby Eastern Arizona College provides higher education services, and a University of Arizona agricultural extension is located to the east of the city.

Legislation has been suggested in state committee to transform the nearby Eastern Arizona College from its present status as a two-year community college into a full four-year educational institution.

Safford is also home to the Eastern Arizona College's Discovery Park Campus, a unique public educational destination facility that provides tours of the world-class telescopes at the Mt. Graham International Observatory, a public access observatory with a research grade 20" Cassagrain telescope, the World's largest permanent mount "Camera Obscura", a full motion Shuttle simulator that takes you on an exciting ride through the Milky Way galaxy, and galleries of historical artifacts from Graham County and the "History of Astronomy" Gallery, as well as a beautifully restored Sonoran riparian area featuring a one-acre ecology education pond and over four miles of trials that take you through the habitat of native and migratory birds, reptiles, and mammals.

The Safford City-Graham County Library provides citizens of Safford with books, computers, free classes, childhood literacy programs and entertainment. It serves 13,625 total citizens between Graham, Greenlee and Gila counties.

Public safety
The city of Safford is served by the Safford Police Department, headed by Chief Glen Orr. Additional law enforcement services are provided by the Graham County Sheriff's Office.

Fire protection is provided by the Safford Volunteer Fire Department. The department was organized May 20, 1907, with a Fire Chief and 12 other town volunteers. Today, Safford's volunteer Fire Department consists of a Fire Chief and 31 other volunteer firefighters. The department responds to more than 200 calls per year. The department services the city's 5 sqmi as well as encompassing an area of 110 sqmi outside the city.

Observatories
Due to Safford's relatively isolated dark sky location, the area has been chosen as a prime spot for hosting observatories. Safford and Thatcher's street lights are low-output to improve the quality of the images taken by the observatories atop the mountain to the southwest of the city. The mountain for which the county is named, Mount Graham, is just a few miles southwest of the city. The mountain is home to the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) and Large Binocular Telescope, or LBT. It, when completed, will be the largest binocular telescope in the world. The mountain also is home to the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, or VATT. It is also home to the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope, or SMT. The Mount Graham International Observatory complex is operated by the University of Arizona.

Notable people

 * D. J. Carrasco, MLB pitcher
 * Michael Ensign, actor
 * Justin Gaethje, mixed martial artist
 * Matthew Lopez, UFC mixed martial artist
 * Carol Lee MacDonald, state legislator in 1987
 * Fred Mortensen, former NFL quarterback
 * Dale Smith, team roping world champion, Rodeo Hall of Famer

title: Safford, Arizona


text:
Swift Trail Junction, Arizona

Swift Trail Junction is a census-designated place (CDP) in Graham County, Arizona, United States. The population was 2,935 at the 2010 census, up from 2,195 in 2000. It is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is situated at the junction of U.S. Route 191 and State Route 366 (also known as the Swift Trail Parkway). The Swift Trail Parkway is a scenic highway that winds through the Coronado National Forest and provides access to the higher elevations of the Pinaleño Mountains.

Geography
Swift Trail Junction is located in south-central Graham County at the base of the Pinaleno Mountains. It is bordered to the north by the Cactus Flats CDP. The junction at the center of the CDP is between U.S. Route 191, which leads north 7 mi to Safford, the county seat, and south 26 mi to Interstate 10, and Arizona State Route 366, which leads southwest 28 mi up into the heart of the Pinaleno Mountains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Swift Trail Junction CDP has a total area of 9.6 km2, of which 9.5 km2 is land and 0.1 km2, or 0.9%, is water. Federal Correctional Institution, Safford, a low-security federal prison for male inmates, is located in the southwest corner of the CDP.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,195 people, 499 households, and 349 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 465.2 PD/sqmi. There were 561 housing units at an average density of 118.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.7% White, 5.8% Black or African American, 6.1% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.2% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 28.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 499 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.1% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 43.6% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 236.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 285.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $28,393, and the median income for a family was $29,762. Males had a median income of $14,901 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,731. About 10.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 22.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Swift Trail Junction, Arizona


text:
Thatcher, Arizona

Thatcher is a town in Graham County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the town is 4,865. It is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Thatcher is the home of Eastern Arizona College (EAC), a college that offers two year degrees and includes a nursing school.

History
Thatcher was originally settled by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first settler was John M. Moody who arrived in Thatcher with his wife and children in 1881. The founding of Thatcher is attributed to Mormon pioneer Christopher Layton, who bought two thousand acres, named the acreage "Thatcher", divided them into lots, and sold those lots to Mormon settlers. Layton also bought a gristmill and built roads, canals and homes.

Eastern Arizona College traces its history to the St. Joseph Stake Academy started by the church in nearby Central. Central is also the location of the Gila Valley Arizona Temple.

Geography
The town is centered in the Upper Gila River Valley with one of Arizona's famous Madrean Sky Islands towering to the south and the Gila River to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.7 sqmi, including 0.02 sqmi of water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,022 people, 1,281 households, and 927 families residing in the town. The population density was 919.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,427 housing units at an average density of 326.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 84.7% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.9% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 19.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,281 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 22.8% from 18 to 24, 18.9% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,412, and the median income for a family was $40,392. Males had a median income of $35,815 versus $20,964 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,961. 17.2% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Emergency response
Emergency 911 services are provided by the 24/7 dispatch center of the Graham County Sheriff's Office. Fire services are provided by the all volunteer Thatcher Fire Department, which has the capability to respond with various types of equipment, including several fire engines and a ladder truck. Mount Graham Regional Medical Center is the medical services provider for the area.

The Thatcher Police Department (TPD) is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for policing the town. It has an approximately 10-man uniformed division.

Transportation
San Carlos Apache Nnee Bich'o Nii Transit provides transportation from Thatcher to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, Safford and Globe. Greyhound Lines serves Thatcher on its Phoenix–El Paso via Globe route.

The Arizona Eastern Railway operates rail freight through town on a branch formerly operated by the Southern Pacific. Traffic is primarily copper products on the route between Bowie and Miami, AZ.

Notable people

 * Elliot Johnson, professional baseball player MLB
 * Spencer W. Kimball, former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
 * Don Lancaster, early print on demand and personal computer pioneer, involved in the keyboard design of the Apple I computer.
 * Jacque Mercer, Miss Arizona and Miss America, 1949.
 * Jess Mortensen, former coach and NCAA-champion track athlete from USC and former world record holder in decathlon.
 * Jeremy Nelson, award-winning visual effects artist.
 * Frank Wanlass, inventor of CMOS and pioneer in the field of solid-state electronics.

title: Thatcher, Arizona


text:
Clifton, Arizona

Clifton is a town in and is the county seat of Greenlee County, Arizona, United States, along the San Francisco River. The population of the town was 3,311 at the 2010 census, with a 2018 population estimate of 3,700. It was a place of the Arizona copper mine strike of 1983.

Clifton and Morenci are thought to be an economic area by the Arizona Department of Commerce.

Geography and climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.4 sqkm, of which 37.8 sqkm is land and 0.6 sqkm, or 1.46%, is water. Clifton has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) that closely borders on both the hot desert climate and the cool semi-arid climate. There is a large degree of diurnal temperature variation. Summers are very hot and sometimes humid, with most rainfall coming from the monsoon between July and October. The wettest year was 2004 with 28.49 in including 6.97 in in August, whilst the driest year with a full record was 1924 with only 4.85 in including a mere 1.98 in between July and October. Winters are mild (though with very cold nights) and dry, with snow only recorded in fourteen years since 1892.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,596 people, 919 households, and 685 families residing in the town. The population density was 174.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,087 housing units at an average density of 73.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.1% White, 1.0 Black or African American, 2.3% Native American, <0.1% Asian, 26.7% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. 55.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 919 households, out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,786, and the median income for a family was $41,820. Males had a median income of $39,813 versus $19,485 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,313. About 8.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The town of Clifton operates under a council-manager form of government with seven elected council members, including a mayor and vice-mayor, and a town manager appointed by the council. Each council member is elected to a four-year term. As of 2015, the Mayor was Felix Callicotte and the Town Manager was Ian McGaughey.

Transportation
Clifton is served by U.S. Route 191, Greenlee County Airport, and the Arizona Eastern Railway.

Education
Since the closure of Clifton Unified School District in 2010, it is now in the Morenci Unified School District.

title: Clifton, Arizona


text:
Duncan, Arizona

Duncan is a town in Greenlee County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 696. In 2018 the estimated population was 789.

Duncan is in the Gila River valley, 4 mi west of the Arizona–New Mexico border. The town limits are on both sides of the Gila River, but the primary portion of the town and the entire downtown area lies on the south side of the river.

Duncan was founded in the mid-19th century, and the land was added to the United States as a part of the Mexican Cession, and the Gadsden Purchase. The town of Duncan has been destroyed twice by flood and once by fire.

The town and unincorporated county surrounding the town are primarily populated by farming, ranching, and mining families. (Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Morenci & Safford copper mines in southeastern Arizona and Chino & Tyrone in southwestern New Mexico). Surrounding smaller unincorporated settlements such as Franklin and York in Arizona, and the Village of Virden, New Mexico, all use Duncan public schools. The areas along the Gila River are renowned for Native American artifacts such as arrowheads, pottery, burial sites, cave paintings, and other remnants of the Anasazi and other pre-historic cultures that inhabited the area until overpopulation and severe droughts between 1000 and 1290 C.E. caused them to vanish, (a remnant of the Chiricahua Band of Apache Indians remained in the upper Gila River Valley as late as the 1930s) as well as artifacts from garrison camps of the expedition of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.

Duncan High School (mascot: Wildkat; school colors: red, grey, and white) competes in many sports, Fall- Mens "8 Man" Football AIA Div 1, Ladies VolleyBall, M/W Cross-country; Winter - M/W Basketball; Spring - Mens Baseball, Womens Softball, M/W Tennis, M/W Golf, M/W Track & Field.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was born in El Paso, Texas, but grew up near Duncan on the Lazy B ranch, which straddles the border between Arizona and New Mexico. The Day family ran the ranch for many years until selling it; it continues to be run as a ranch. O'Connor later wrote a book titled Lazy B: Growing up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest about her childhood experiences on the ranch with her brother H. Alan Day.

Geography
U.S. Route 70 passes through downtown, leading west 39 mi to Safford, Arizona, and southeast 35 mi to Lordsburg, New Mexico, and Interstate 10. Arizona State Route 75 leads north from Duncan 28 mi to Clifton.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Duncan has a total area of 5.6 km2, all of it land.

Climate
Duncan has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with huge diurnal temperature ranges year-round except during periods of thundery monsoon weather. In April the average diurnal range is as high as 43.7 F-change and it is only less than 36 F-change in the often stormy months of July and August when over a third of the year's total rainfall can be expected.

During a typical year 131.6 nights will fall below 32 F, but only 7.8 days fail to top 50 F, and there are only seven occurrences of nights falling to 0 F or lower, notably on December 24, 1953, and January 11, 1962, when the record low of −2 F was set.

Rainfall is generally scanty outside of the monsoon season, with substantial falls from winter storms being rare, although December 1991 did see 4.76 in of rain. The wettest month since continuous records began in 1942 has been August 2014 with 6.17 in, whilst the wettest calendar year has been 1983 with 18.88 in and the driest 1956 with 3.49 in. Snowfall is most unusual, with the median being zero and the mean only 0.5 in. The most snowfall ever in Duncan was 15.0 in during the record Western cold wave of January 1949.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 812 people, 294 households, and 206 families residing in the town. The population density was 317.6 pd/sqmi. There were 384 housing units at an average density of 150.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 81.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 13.6% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. 31.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 294 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,368, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $32,232 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,642. About 14.0% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 23.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Greyhound Lines serves Duncan on its Phoenix–El Paso via Globe route.

title: Duncan, Arizona


text:
Morenci, Arizona

Morenci is a census-designated place (CDP) and company town in Greenlee County, Arizona, United States, and was founded by the Detroit Copper Mining Company of Arizona. The population was 2,000 at the 2000 census and 1,489 at the 2010 census. The biggest employer in Morenci (and in nearby Clifton) and the owner of the town is Freeport-McMoRan, the owner of the Morenci Mine, the largest copper mining operation in North America, and one of the largest copper mines in the world. The town was a site of the Arizona Copper Mine Strike of 1983. The large open-pit mine is north of the town.

Geography
Morenci is located in central Greenlee County on the northeastern border of the town of Clifton, the county seat. U.S. Route 191 (the Coronado Trail) passes through the northern part of the community, leading east and downhill into Clifton and north through the Apache National Forest 117 mi to Eagar.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Morenci CDP has a total area of 2.55 km2, of which 2.49 sqkm is land and 0.06 sqkm, or 2.23%, is water.

Climate
This region experiences hot and dry summers, with average monthly high temperatures above 80 °F for seven months a year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Morenci has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,879 people, 672 households, and 454 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,317.4 PD/sqmi. There were 754 housing units at an average density of 929.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 68.0% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 2.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 25.0% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. 44.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 672 households, out of which 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 35.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 0.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 119.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,010, and the median income for a family was $54,583. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $26,063 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,695. About 2.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The economy of Morenci as well as that of the surrounding area is almost completely dependent on the Morenci Mine. Between 2003 and 2008, the worldwide rise in copper prices led the mine to double its work force to 4,000 employees and increase production by 55 percent to an average of one million tons of ore per day.

Several hundred new homes were built, leading to a boom in the construction industry. All the homes in Morenci, new and old, remain owned by Freeport-McMoRan.

Education
It is in the Morenci Unified School District.

Notable people

 * Ettore DeGrazia, Southwestern Impressionist painter
 * Christine Nofchissey McHorse, Diné ceramic artist and sculptor

title: Morenci, Arizona


text:
Bluewater, Arizona

Bluewater is a census-designated place (CDP) on the Colorado River Indian Reservation in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 725 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Bluewater is located in northern La Paz County at 34.16694°N, -114.27167°W (34.166976, -114.271589). It sits on the southeast bank of the Colorado River and is bordered to the north, across the river, by the community of Bluewater, California.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.2 km2, of which 5.4 km2 are land and 0.8 km2, or 12.91%, are water.

Demographics
Bluewater first appeared on the 1990 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 730 people, 337 households, and 221 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 355.2 PD/sqmi. There were 537 housing units at an average density of 261.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 81.1% White, 8.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.5% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.2% of the population.

There were 337 households, out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.62.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.3% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,600, and the median income for a family was $31,339. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,525. About 7.0% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Bluewater, Arizona


text:
Bouse, Arizona

Bouse ( rhymes with "house") is a census-designated place (CDP) and ghost town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1908 as a mining camp, the economy of Bouse is now based on tourism, agriculture, and retirees. The population was 996 at the 2010 census. It was originally named Brayton after the store owner John Brayton Martin.

Geography
Bouse is located north of the center of La Paz County at 33.93361°N, -114.00833°W (33.933657, -114.008268). Arizona State Route 72 passes through the community, leading northwest 26 mi to Parker and southeast 23 mi to Hope.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Bouse CDP has a total area of 352.8 km2, all land.

Camp Bouse, 20 mi east in Butler Valley, is the former site of a World War II US Army tank training camp. Although the buildings are gone, a few foundations remain, as do some of the tank tracks from World War II. There is a Camp Bouse memorial monument in Bouse.

Demographics
Bouse first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village, then in Yuma County. Although it did not appear separately as a village in 1930, the precinct it was located in, Bouse Precinct, had been contiguous with the village in 1920, and it reported a population of 427, which was majority White. Bouse's population was estimated as 100 in 1940, and also 100 in the 1960 census. It appeared again in 2000, when it was made a census-designated place (CDP), now within La Paz County.

As of the census of 2010, there were 996 people, 547 households, and 303 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 60.9 PD/sqmi. There were 562 housing units at an average density of 55.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.6% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 320 households, out of which 6.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.33.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 9.8% under the age of 18, 1.1% from 18 to 24, 8.5% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 51.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 65 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $19,479, and the median income for a family was $27,935. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $20,536 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,623. About 9.9% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.4% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

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, Bouse has a desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.

Government
The Bouse Domestic Water Improvement District provides water service to Bouse. Education is provided by the Bouse Elementary School District and the Bicentennial Union High School District.

Economy
A chicken egg facility owned by Rose Acre Farms, the Lone Cactus Farm, broke ground near Bouse in July 2015 and opened the following year. According to the president of the La Paz Economic Development Corporation, it is the biggest economic development project ever taken in the county. A rail spur off the Arizona and California Railroad and a grain terminal serving the farm opened in December 2018. Another egg facility broke ground near Lone Cactus Farm in May 2023.

title: Bouse, Arizona


text:
Cibola, Arizona

Cibola is a census-designated place (CDP) in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 250 at the 2010 census, up from 172 in 2000. It is named for the famed city of gold of the same name.

Geography
Cibola is located in southwestern La Paz County at 33.31639°N, -114.665°W (33.3164215, -114.6649570), in the Cibola Valley on the east side of the Colorado River. The community is bordered to the west, across the river, by the state of California. The river is crossed by River Road in the eastern part of the CDP; River Road leads south 2.5 mi to Cibola Park in the center of the CDP, while to the north Neighbors Boulevard leads 8 mi to Ripley, California. The northern end of Cibola National Wildlife Refuge occupies the southern part of the CDP.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 52.3 km2, of which 50.6 sqkm are land and 1.7 sqkm, or 3.3%, are water.

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, Cibola has a desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 172 people, 65 households, and 39 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 9.5 PD/sqmi. There were 161 housing units at an average density of 8.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 76% White, 3% Black or African American, 6% Native American, 12% from other races, and 3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34% of the population.

There were 65 households, out of which 29% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54% were married couples living together, 6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39% were non-families. 28% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.3.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 31% under the age of 18, 4% from 18 to 24, 25% from 25 to 44, 24% from 45 to 64, and 16% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 135.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $21,719, and the median income for a family was $43,250. Males had a median income of $60,313 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,772. None of the families and 13% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 27% of those over 64.

History
The population of Cibola was 20 in the 1960 census.

Cibola in popular culture

 * Epitome of Far from Civilization, Paul Auster uses the town in his 1994 novel Mr. Vertigo.

title: Cibola, Arizona


text:
Ehrenberg, Arizona

Ehrenberg, also historically spelled "Ehrenburg", is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,470 at the 2010 census. Ehrenberg is named for its founder, Herman Ehrenberg.

Ehrenberg is located on the Colorado River, which forms the border with Riverside County, California, near the city of Blythe. It is situated close to Interstate 10, at the southern end of the Parker Valley and next to the Palo Verde Valley.

History
In 1863, German mining engineer Herman Ehrenberg was hired to survey a new townsite along the Colorado River, approximately 6 mi from La Paz, Arizona. The town, named Mineral City, began to grow in 1866, after a new landing was established there, supported by the steamboat captains of the George A. Johnson Company. Mineral City attracted miners and many businessmen away from La Paz and by September 20, 1869, had grown large enough to win a post office. The same year it was renamed "Ehrenberg".

Over the next several years the town continued to grow, surpassing La Paz. By 1875 there were 500 residents. The population of La Paz dwindled, and many storekeepers relocated to Ehrenberg.

Around the start of the 20th century, railroads began to bypass the river as the major means of transporting goods. The town's population declined, and it lost its post office on December 31, 1913.

Many of the surviving older buildings in town were torn down in the 1950s to make way for a trailer park.

Geography
Ehrenberg is located in western La Paz County and is located on the Colorado River, which forms the border between Arizona and California. The community is along Interstate 10, which leads east 145 mi to Phoenix and west 100 mi to Indio, California.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Ehrenberg CDP has a total area of 31.4 km2, of which 30.9 km2 are land and, or 1.78%, are water.

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, Ehrenberg has a desert climate, abbreviated "Bwh" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,357 people, 545 households, and 348 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 113.7 PD/sqmi. There were 824 housing units at an average density of 69.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.8% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 10.5% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.1% of the population.

There were 545 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.1.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,000, and the median income for a family was $28,000. Males had a median income of $35,956 versus $18,100 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,372. About 17.0% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 17.9% of those age 65 or over.

Image gallery
Pictured are some of the remaining structures in Ehrenberg:
 * Ehrenberg General Store – 1896, now with an Arizona Oasis RV Resort sign on its side wall.
 * Old Meat Market – This building once housed the "Mercado de Amigos Meat Market"
 * The Blythe-Ehrenberg-Pipeline suspension bridge – over the Colorado River, built in 1916
 * The Ehrenberg-Blythe Colorado River Bridge
 * The Ehrenberg Pioneer Cemetery – established in 1869

title: Ehrenberg, Arizona


text:
Parker, Arizona

Parker (Mojave 'Amat Kuhwely, formerly 'Ahwe Nyava) is the county seat of La Paz County, Arizona, United States, on the Colorado River in Parker Valley. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,417.

History
Founded in 1908, the town was named after Ely Parker, the first Native American commissioner for the U.S. government. The original town site of Parker was surveyed and laid out in 1909 by Earl H. Parker, a railroad location engineer for the Arizona & California Railway. The town officially incorporated in 1948 and became the county seat for the newly created La Paz County on January 1, 1983.

Camp Colorado and Parkers Landing
The town's name and origin began when a post office called Parker was established January 6, 1871, at Parker's Landing and the site of the Parker Indian Agency, named for Ely Parker, on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, four miles downriver from the site of the railroad bridge of the modern town, to serve the Indian agency. What became Parkers Landing was established on the river as the place to land and pick up cargo and personnel for the Indian Agency and the U. S. Army detachment that was stationed there at Camp Colorado from 1864 to 1869, during the first years of the Reservation. Camp Colorado was abandoned after sparks from the departing steamboat Cocopah rapidly burned down the brush huts of the officers of the garrison, and endangered its barracks and storehouses.

Geography
The city is on the Colorado River just south of the Headgate Rock Dam and Moovalya Lake. Arizona State Route 95 and California State Route 62 (across the Colorado River) serve the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.0 sqmi, of which 22.0 sqmi is land and 0.05% is water.

According to Census Bureau maps, the town is divided into two non-contiguous sections; the northern section consists of the original town and is located in the Colorado River Indian reservation and the southern section consists of a larger, roughly rectangular section of largely undeveloped territory. The undeveloped territory consist of extensive unpaved roads. Of the few that are paved, Mohave Road is the most utilized between the town and the territory. The same road can be taken 15.5 miles south to the town of Poston, which is noted for its relocation camps for Japanese Americans during World War II.

Climate
Parker has an arid climate classification, which is characterized by extremely hot summers and warm winters.

Wintertime highs in Parker are generally in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Lows during the winter are between 40 and 50 F with an occasional morning dipping below 32 F. The all-time lowest recorded temperature in Parker occurred on December 31, 1911, when temperatures bottomed out at 9 F; however, snow has been recorded only once when 3.0 in fell on one day in December 1932, and no maximum below 32 F has ever been observed.

Summers in Parker can be dangerously hot, with highs in June, July, August, and September remaining in the 100 to 110 F range, days over 115 F or even 120 F are not rare.

April and May both average 90 to 100 F daytime highs. Even the month of October has an average high of 90.0 F. The all-time highest recorded temperature in Parker was 127 F, which occurred on July 7, 1905. This was, at the time, the all-time record high temperature in Arizona history until Lake Havasu City reached 128 F on June 29, 1994.

Rainfall is uniformly scanty throughout the year in Parker, with no month averaging more than three days with measurable rainfall. The monsoon storms that provide much of the rain in southern and eastern parts of Arizona seldom effect Parker. The wettest month since records began in 1893 was September 1939, when a rare decaying hurricane produced a total of 8.85 in including a record daily total of 3.41 in on the fifth day of that month. The wettest calendar year has been 1992 with 13.59 in – though from July 1992 to June 1993 the figure was slightly higher still at 13.74 in – and the driest 1956 with 0.34 in.

Demographics
As of the census in 2000, there were 3,140 people, 1,064 households, and 791 families residing in the town. The population density was 142.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,157 housing units at an average density of 52.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 62.0% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 23.1% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 7.5% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. 29.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,064 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,625, and the median income for a family was $37,663. Males had a median income of $26,542 versus $21,006 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,016. About 10.6% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Arizona State Route 95 runs through Parker, entering the town from the northeast as Rio Vista Highway then turning south in the intersection with California Avenue. To the north of the intersection with California Avenue is the State Route 95 truck spur, which leads to the Colorado River bridge and the eastern terminus of California State Route 62 in Earp.

Avi Suquilla Airport is a public use airport located one nautical mile (1.8 km) east of the central business district of Parker. It is owned by the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

The Arizona & California Railroad is headquartered at the railroad depot in Parker, after replacing the Santa Fe Railway in 1991 as the owner and operator of the railroad line through the town. It crosses over the Colorado River on a five-span truss bridge near the road bridge to Earp.

La Paz County Health Department operates La Paz County Transit, an on-demand bus service.

title: Parker, Arizona