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Maricopa, Arizona

Maricopa is a city in the Gila River Valley in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. With 66,290 residents as of 2022, Maricopa is the largest incorporated municipality in Pinal County.

History
Maricopa has had three locations over the years: Maricopa Wells, Maricopaville and Maricopa Junction; the latter gradually became known as Maricopa. It started as an oasis around a series of watering holes eight miles north of present-day Maricopa, and about a mile west of Pima Butte. European-American traders and travelers called it Maricopa Wells. Several of Arizona's rivers, the Gila, Santa Cruz, Vekol and Santa Rosa provided this oasis in the desert with an ample supply of water during this period of time.

During the late 1800s, Maricopa Wells was one of the most important relay stations along the San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line and the later more famous Butterfield Overland Mail Route. Today, very little remains of this once bustling community, but it played an important part in the progress and development of the Southwest. It was one of the best-known spots in Arizona during this period of time because it had a reliable source of water, and offered an abundant supply of food. The peaceful Pima and Maricopa farmers who lived and farmed nearby sold supplies to travelers and migrants.

The most prosperous period of time for Maricopa Wells was in the 1870s. During this time the trading center at the Wells provided water and food for not only the east–west travelers, but those who traveled to the north to Phoenix. Fairly good roads had been built by James A. Moore, the proprietor at Maricopa Wells, to all points north, and the Wells was a constant hubbub of activity.

Maricopaville developed south and west of the Wells, following construction of a railroad line from this terminus to Phoenix. In 1879, the Southern Pacific Railroad was in the process of building a railroad line from Yuma to Tucson, and a second railroad line was to be built from Maricopaville, wrapping around the western edge of South Mountain into Phoenix. With the railroad, Maricopaville took on the appearance of a gold rush California boom town, as men worked day and night building hotels, saloons, warehouses, restaurants, theaters, etc. One local newspaper at the time reckoned that with its thousands of people and good location, Maricopaville would be an ideal choice for the location of the state capital.

But the railroad never built the anticipated line from Maricopaville into Phoenix. Tempe also wanted to be on the railroad line and lobbied the territorial government to gain a stop. Officials agreed. The settlement known as Maricopaville was essentially rebuilt three miles to the east (to the present location of Maricopa) in the early 1880s, in order to accommodate the Maricopa & Phoenix line, planned to go through Kyrene and Tempe to the north on the way to Phoenix. The first train departed from Maricopa for Phoenix on July 4, 1887. All east–west rail travelers had to stop at Maricopa, and those who wanted to go north had to shift to the M & P Railroad.

Maricopa was officially incorporated as a city on October 15, 2003, becoming the 88th incorporated municipality in Arizona. Between 2000 and 2010, the city's population grew from 1,040 residents to 43,482, an increase of 4080%. In 2018, estimates approved by the US Census Bureau and Arizona State Demographer's Office put Maricopa's population at 51,977 pushing the city over the 50,000 mark for the first time. Furthermore, data released from the official 2020 Census in August 2021 put Maricopa at 58,125, surpassing Casa Grande to become the most populous incorporated place in Pinal County and second most populous place in the county overall, behind the unincorporated San Tan Valley. Population of Maricopa has continued to grow, reaching 66,290 residents as of 2022; a 6.2% increase from 2021, making Maricopa the 12th fastest growing municipality in the United States and second fastest growing in Arizona (behind Queen Creek, which is partially in Pinal County).

A part of the city is within the boundaries of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The small, federally recognized tribe has developed Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino and related resort, a multi-entertainment cinema complex, and operates a golf course; all are open to the public and draw attendees from Maricopa as well as the greater Phoenix area. In addition the tribe operates the Ak-Chin Regional Airport and an industrial park. A 2011 study said that its casino and resort made up a large part of the economy of Pinal County, in terms of number of jobs and revenue generated.

Geography and climate
Maricopa is located at 33.05667°N, -112.04667°W (33.056702, -112.046656).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.9 sqmi, all land.

The topography in Maricopa is flat, with several mountain ranges 10 to 20 miles away. The elevation of Maricopa is 1190 feet.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 43,482 people, 14,359 households, and 11,110 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,356.8 PD/sqmi. There were 17,240 housing units at an average density of 540.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 70.2% White, 9.7% Black or African American, 2.0% Native American, 4.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 8.5% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. 24.4% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,359 households, out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 15.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 35% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

According to 2009 Census Bureau estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $67,692, and the median income for a family was $69,818. The per capita income for the city was $27,618. About 3.7% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line.

Roads
Maricopa is primarily served by Arizona State Route 347, a north–south highway that connects to Interstate 10, approximately 14 miles north of Maricopa, as well as Arizona State Route 84 11 miles south of Maricopa. State Route 84 then ends at Interstate 8 approximately 6 miles west of State Route 347. Within Maricopa, State Route 347 is John Wayne Parkway. As it leaves the city for the Gila River Indian Community to the north or the Ak-Chin Indian Community to the south, the road changes names to Maricopa Road. A portion of old State Route 347 within Maricopa also exists as Maricopa Road.

Maricopa is also served by Arizona State Route 238, which connects Maricopa to the town of Mobile, which is incorporated into the city of Goodyear. Past Mobile, State Route 238 becomes a county route that connects to Arizona State Route 85 in Gila Bend. State Route 238 and Mobile Road designations are used interchangeably. State Route 238 ends at State Route 347, and continues east as Smith-Enke Road, a major east–west corridor for the city of Maricopa. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway also makes up a major corridor for the city, connecting it to the city of Casa Grande. This road parallels the Union Pacific Railroad at a diagonal, ultimately becoming Plainview Street within Maricopa and Cottonwood Lane in Casa Grande.

Rail
Maricopa is located on a Union Pacific Railroad line. The city is currently the closest stop to Phoenix served by Amtrak's Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle trains. Maricopa station opened in 2001, originally in a converted passenger rail car but now in a metal building. Amtrak Thruway offers connecting service between Maricopa and Phoenix.

Utilities
Maricopa is served by the following utilities:

 * Cable: Orbitel Communications
 * Electricity: Electrical District #3
 * Natural Gas: Southwest Gas
 * Telephone/DSL: CenturyLink
 * Water: Global Water (Santa Cruz Water Company, Palo Verde Utilities), Maricopa Domestic Water Improvement District

Bus
The City of Maricopa operates Maricopa Express Transit (MET), which provides local bus service.

Municipal organization
Maricopa is governed by a Council-Manager form of government. This type of government structure combines the political leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an appointed professional manager. The City Council and City Manager work as partners to direct and guide local government.

The Maricopa City Council consists of the Mayor and six City Council members. The Mayor is elected to serve a four-year term and the City Council members are elected to serve four-year terms on a rotating basis. City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

There are 10 citizen advisory groups that guide the Maricopa City Council on a myriad of activity. They are the Board of Adjustment, Heritage District Advisory Committee, Industrial Development Authority Board, Merit Board, Parks, Recreation and Library Advisory Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Board, Transportation Advisory Committee and the Youth Council. Selection to these groups is by City Council action.

The city is organized into nine departments: the City Manager's Office, the City Clerk's Office, Community Services, Development Services, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Services and the Police Department. More than 250 individuals work for the municipality.

Civic and nonprofit organizations

 * F.O.R. Maricopa - local food bank
 * Maricopa Gun Club- local gun club
 * Maricopa Historical Society - historical organization
 * Maricopa Motorcycle Riders - local group of riders; all bikes allowed
 * Maricopa Seniors - area senior citizen group
 * MomDoc Charities
 * Pet Social Worker / Tails of Hope Rescue - local animal rescue group
 * Recycling Association of Maricopa (R.A.M.) - community drop-off recycling
 * Thunderbird Arena Community Council (TACC) - area organization supporting the renovation of the Thunderbird Farms Arena
 * Maha Ganpati Temple of Arizona - Hindu Temple with Rajagopuram[main tower] built as per Dravidian architecture of South India. www.ganapati.org
 * The Opportunity Tree - nonprofit program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Public school districts

 * Maricopa Unified School District
 * Mobile Elementary School District

Public elementary schools

 * Butterfield Elementary School
 * Maricopa Elementary School
 * Mobile Elementary School
 * Pima Butte Elementary School
 * Saddleback Elementary School
 * Santa Cruz Elementary School
 * Santa Rosa Elementary School

Public middle schools

 * Desert Wind Middle School
 * Maricopa Wells Middle School

Public high schools

 * Desert Sunrise High School
 * Maricopa High School

Charter schools

 * Leading Edge Academy Maricopa
 * Legacy Traditional School-Maricopa Campus
 * Sequoia Pathway Academy Maricopa
 * A+ Charter Schools
 * Heritage Academy Maricopa

Community college

 * Central Arizona College

Notable people

 * Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, bought a house and lived in Maricopa for two years before returning to Alaska.
 * Former state senator Steve Smith resides in Maricopa.
 * Charles Smith (cowboy), lawman, friend of Wyatt Earp.
 * John Wayne, famous actor, owned land in area and frequented local establishments.

title: Maricopa, Arizona


text:
Oracle, Arizona

Oracle is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,686 at the 2010 Census, falling to 3,051 at the 2020 Census.

Oracle State Park is adjacent. The Arizona Trail passes through the Park and community. Oracle is the gateway to the road up the north face of Mount Lemmon, which starts off of American Avenue and currently offers a secondary route to the top. Prior to the construction of the Catalina Highway on the opposite side of the Santa Catalina range, the Oracle Control Road was the only road access to the mountain community of Summerhaven. The term "control road" derives from the fact that the direction of traffic was restricted to one-way only, either up or down at alternate times of day, to prevent motorists from having to pass one another on the narrow, steep road. This route is now popular mainly with off-road 4x4 drivers and with off-road or dual-purpose motorcyclists, and should not be attempted by regular passenger cars or street motorcycles. This road ends at the Catalina Highway near Loma Linda.

The community is the location of the Biosphere 2 experiment. Oracle was also the postal address for environmentalist author Edward Abbey, who never lived in the town but visited often. Buffalo Bill Cody owned the High Jinks Gold Mine in Oracle briefly and, in 1911, appeared as "Santa" for a group of local children. Oracle is becoming a bedroom community for Tucson, Arizona, but large-scale development is opposed by many residents.

History
The name "Oracle" comes from early prospectors. Albert Weldon came to the area looking for gold and silver. He and some other companions named their first mine The Oracle after the ship Weldon had traveled on. The community was later named after its first mine, and thus, indirectly, after a ship.

The community began to grow in the late 1870s, as gold and silver were discovered, and the Christmas and New Year mines opened. By 1880, a post office had been established.

The community also became a retreat for people suffering from tuberculosis. The Acadia Ranch – built in Oracle in 1882 by Edwin S. and Lillian Dodge – was, during this time, a sanitorium.

Alternative history
On January 1, 2017, in the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, historian David Leighton challenged the accepted history of the town of Oracle:

He wrote that Albert Weldon who was born about 1840 in New Brunswick, Canada, traveled on his uncle Capt. A.D. Wood's ship Oracle around Cape Horn at the tip of South America and arrived in California between 1857 and 1860. Weldon enlisted as a private in Company E, 5th California Infantry, of the Union Army, in 1861. This unit was attached to the California Column and soon marched to Tucson where Weldon was posted at a nearby stage station before moving east and eventually being honorably discharged in Mesilla New Mexico in 1864.

After his military service he returned to California and was involved in mining and also lumber. In 1876 he returned to Arizona. Within a couple of years he found a partner in Irishman Jimmie Lee and both men traveled northeast of Tucson into the Santa Catalina Mountains in search of precious metal. Soon he found a mining claim and named it Oracle in honor of his uncle's ship.

The ship Oracle was built under the supervision of Captain Charles E. Ranlett and was constructed for the shipbuilding firm Chapman & Flint of Maine. It was launched in 1853 and was a temperance ship (one that didn't allow alcohol aboard) and sailed to ports across the globe including Melbourne, Australia and Shanghai, China. It was captained by Weldon's uncle for several years.

Weldon was soon joined by Alexander McKay, an immigrant from Scotland who located two mining claims named Christmas and New Years because of the days they were discovered. McKay also built a one-room house, the first in the area, and from it, the village grew. When it was time for a post office to be named, Oracle was the name eventually chosen.

Leighton stated that the town of Oracle takes its name from the Oracle Mine which took its name from the ship Oracle and that he believes the ship took its name from an oracle – a shrine dedicated to a particular god where people went to consult a priest or priestess in times of trouble or uncertainty – called the Temple of Apollo at Didyma in present-day Aydin Province, Turkey, not the oracle at Delphi, Greece believed by some to be the origin of the name. He also explained that there were two ships named Oracle made by the same shipbuilder, the second one being launched in 1876 but that this later ship wasn't the boat that Weldon traveled on, as some sources have said.

Climate
Oracle has a cold semi-arid climate at an altitude of 4500 ft.

Ecology
Flora includes emory oak, point-leaf manzanita, holly-leaf buckthorn, alligator juniper, velvet mesquite, netleaf hackberry, lemonade berry, oreganillo, Thurber’s desert honeysuckle, ocotillo, turpentine bush, yellow bells, golden-flowered agave, mescal agave, sotol, soaptree yucca, beargrass, Engelman’s prickly pear, fishhook barrel cactus, cane cholla, firecracker penstemon, showy four o’clock, sacred datura, Goodding verbena, fairy duster, tufted evening primrose, Arizona mariposa lily,  deer grass, and Parry’s grama.

Fauna includes greater roadrunner, common raven, acorn woodpecker, great horned owl, zone-tailed hawk, Cooper’s hawk, wild turkey, Gambel’s quail, cactus wren, curve-billed thrasher, hooded oriole, northern cardinal, Lucy’s warbler, vermilion flycatcher, broad-billed hummingbird, Gila monster, Clark’s spiny lizard, Madrean alligator lizard, coachwhip, gopher snake, red-spotted toad, canyon tree frog, black swalllowtail, white-lined sphinx, Arizona sister, Sonoran bumblebee, tarantula hawk, western short-horn walkingstick, western rhinoceros beetle, darkling beetles, rainbow grasshopper, flame skimmer, Arizona mantis, green lynx spider, desert blonde tarantula, Arizona bark scorpion, mule deer, cougar, bobcat, gray fox, coyote, striped skunk, javelina, white-nosed coati, rock squirrel, desert cottontail, and big brown bat.

The Oracle region once sustained more extensive and biodiverse grassland ecosystems, but widespread and poorly regulated cattle ranching has largely depleted them. An ongoing transition to a mesquite/opuntia/invasive grass-dominated landscape is occurring.

Geology
Oracle and the surrounding area sit largely on a slab of granite called "Oracle granite" that is visible as red or grey-and-white speckled "boulders" rising over the scrub and grass. It is mostly porphyritic biotite Precambrian granite with large microcline phenocrysts, and has occasional inclusions of white and milky quartz and pegmatite. The granite rarely contains ore and veins of gold or silver, and sometimes copper.

Geography
Oracle is located at 32.61611°N, -110.78194°W (32.616030, -110.781854).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.4 sqmi, all land.

Attractions and events

 * Oracle State Park
 * Biosphere 2
 * Acadia Ranch Museum, operated by the Oracle Historical Society, local history
 * GLOW, an annual nighttime multimedia art event coinciding with the full moon.
 * Peppersauce Cave, a limestone cave with approximately one mile of mapped passages.
 * The Tucson Marathon starts in Oracle
 * YMCA Triangle Y Ranch CampA spectacular sunset over Oracle, AZ USA during the 2020 monsoon season.png

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,563 people, 1,384 households, and 1,004 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 313.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,534 housing units at an average density of 134.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.0% White or European American, 0.1% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 17.3% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. 38.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,384 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 27.4% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.0.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,267, and the median income for a family was $46,026. Males had a median income of $37,667 versus $30,667 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,459. About 8.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

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

title: Oracle, Arizona


text:
Queen Valley, Arizona

Queen Valley is a census-designated place (CDP) in north central Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The population was 820 at the 2000 census.

Geography
Queen Valley is located at 33.295°N, -111.29778°W. at an elevation of 2000 feet along the south side of the west flowing Queen Creek. The Tonto National Forest boundary and Comet Peak (2681 ft.) lie 1.5 miles to the east. The dam for the Whitlow Ranch Flood Control Basin is one mile to the east.

Florence Junction lies 5.4 km to the southwest along US Route 60 and Queen Valley Road connects Queen Valley with US 60, two miles east of Florence Junction. Apache Junction lies to the northwest. The Superstition Mountains lie to the north and northwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.6 square miles (24.9 km2), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 820 people, 417 households, and 296 families living in the CDP. The population density was 85.3 PD/sqmi. There were 595 housing units at an average density of 61.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.6% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 6.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 417 households, out of which 5.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.1% were married couples living together, 2.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.26.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 7.4% under the age of 18, 1.5% from 18 to 24, 10.4% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 49.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 65 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,188, and the median income for a family was $44,213. Males had a median income of $42,344 versus $20,764 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,886. None of the families and 5.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 6.1% of those over 64.

title: Queen Valley, Arizona


text:
Sacaton, Arizona

Sacaton (Pima: Geʼe Ki:) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,254 at the 2020 census. It is the capital of the Gila River Indian Community.

Geography
Sacaton is located at 33.08°N, -111.74583°W (33.079911, −111.745784).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.4 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,584 people, 378 households, and 303 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 667.1 PD/sqmi. There were 387 housing units at an average density of 163.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.0% White, 95.0% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. 7.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 378 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.2% were married couples living together, 41.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.80 and the average family size was 4.12.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 38.4% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $18,276, and the median income for a family was $20,766. Males had a median income of $25,882 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $6,425. About 36.4% of families and 39.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.4% of those under age 18 and 31.1% of those age 65 or over.

History
Sacaton is one and one-quarter miles west of the 1858–1861 location of the Socatoon Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail. The station was named for the nearby Maricopa village of Sacaton, four miles down the Gila from the station. It was an adobe building established in 1858 on the Little Gila river also known as Capron's Rancho and was also a trading post.

Notable people

 * Ira Hayes – Pima Native American and United States Marine who assisted in raising the flag on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945, was born and raised in the Sacaton area.
 * Mary Thomas – Governor of the Gila River Indian Community (1994–2000)

Historic structures and monuments
The following is a short description of the historic structures, cemetery and monuments pictured:
 * Side view of the C. H. Cook Memorial Church, a historic church on Church Street. It was built in 1918 and added to the National Register in 1975. The church is named after Charles Cook, a young missionary who arrived in Sacaton on December 23, 1870. The funeral of Ira Hayes was held here. The church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as of August 28, 1975, reference # 75000359. In March 2019, an arsonist burned the church to the ground. The church was destroyed as a result of that fire.
 * The grave of Charles Cook's son, Franklin, who died on February 22, 1884, at the age of three months and six days. Lying next to the baby is Cook's wife, Annie M. Cook (Coates), who died on December 18, 1889. The grave is located in the C. H. Cook Memorial Church Cemetery on the northwest edge of the C. H. Cook Memorial Church.
 * The grave of Mathew B. Juan whose body was interred in the cemetery on April 9, 1921. Juan's first name was misspelled; it is "Matthew". Juan was killed in World War I, as the first Native American from Arizona to die while fighting for the United States in a war. The grave is located in the C. H. Cook Memorial Church Cemetery, on the northwest edge of the C. H. Cook Memorial Church.
 * The grave of American Civil War veteran and Confederate Colonel James Patton Perkins, who died in Sweetwater, Arizona in 1896. The grave is located in the C. H. Cook Memorial Church Cemetery, on the northwest edge of the C. H. Cook Memorial Church.
 * The Matthew B. Juan-Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park. The Memorial Park commemorates Matthew B. Juan, a Pima Indian who was the first Native American from Arizona to be killed in World War I. Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian who served in the United States Marine Corps, and is best known for his participation in the U.S. flag-raising at Iwo Jima in 1945. The park is located on West Casa Blanca Road in Sacaton.
 * The Pvt. Matthew B. Juan Monument built in 1928 by stonemason Michael Sullivan, in the Mathew B. Juan-Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park.
 * The Ira H. Hayes Monument in the Mathew B. Juan-Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park.
 * The First Pima Baptist Church a.k.a. "The first Southern Baptist Church", was built in 1925 and is located at N Voak AT W Casa Blanca Road.
 * Early 20th Century House, located on Casa Blanca Road in the Gila Indian Reservation.

The Gila River Japanese War Relocation Center

 * The Gila River War Relocation Center was an internment camp built by the War Relocation Authority (WRA) for the internment of Japanese Americans during the Second World War. The Gila River War Relocation Memorial is located at Indian Route 24, Sacaton, Az.
 * The Gila River War Relocation Memorial on Butte Mountain.
 * Ruins of the Gila River Japanese Relocation Internment Camp.
 * A concrete slab foundation of the Gila River War Relocation Center.

title: Sacaton, Arizona


text:
San Manuel, Arizona

San Manuel is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The population was 3,551 at the 2010 census.

San Manuel was built in 1953 by Del E. Webb Construction Company as a company town to serve the then-new San Manuel copper mine, mill and smelter complex. In 1955 the San Manuel Arizona Railroad was built to connect with the Copper Basin Railway at Hayden. When copper prices fell in the late 1990s, BHP, the owner of the mine and smelter complex shuttered both operations in June 1999. The closing saw 2,500 people lose their jobs. The mine and smelter were permanently closed in 2003.

The community is on the edge of the Sonoran Desert with its saguaros and overlooks the San Pedro River valley and panoramic Galiuro Mountains. Today, San Manuel is a leisure destination popular for hunting, sightseeing, and is a hub for off-road adventure for dirt bikes, UTV's and ATV's. UTV. Several museums include a mining museum and a motorcycle museum. It is also a gateway city of The Arizona Trail. Nearby towns are Oracle and Mammoth. Both are within 10 mi of San Manuel and make up a tri-community area.

Geography
San Manuel is located at 32.605°N, -110.63333°W (32.605048, -110.633340), in the San Pedro River Valley at an elevation of about 3500 ft. San Manuel is approximately 45 mi northeast of Tucson.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 20.9 sqmi all land.

Highway access
The main road connecting San Manuel to the rest of the state is Veterans Memorial Boulevard, which runs in a northwest–southeast direction from San Pedro River Road to a grade–separated interchange with Arizona State Route 77. From 1962 to 1988, Veterans Memorial Boulevard was part of Arizona State Route 76. SR 76 served as a direct connection from San Manuel to SR 77, the San Manuel copper mine and ultimately the rest of the state.

In the early 1970s, construction started on an extension of SR 76 to Interstate 10 in Benson, called the Benson–Mammoth Highway. However, the highway was ultimately abandoned at the beginning of construction, with only two sections being completed near San Manuel and in Benson, respectively, along with an abandoned and unfinished highway grade. The unfinished grade still remains at the southern end of Veterans Memorial Boulevard, blocked by a permanent traffic barrier. SR 76 was later decommissioned as a state highway and handed to local jurisdictions for ownership and maintenance. Additionally, any land the state of Arizona had acquired for the Benson extension was sold off.

Airport
San Manuel Airport – E77 known as San Manuel Ray Blair Airport is public and located 2 mi NW of San Manuel, Arizona. It has one paved runway of 4207 x 75 ft with lights and a paved taxiway.

Local & area attractions

 * JWJ Cycles, Motorcycle museum
 * San Manuel Historical Museum, Mining history
 * Arizona Trail, Located just west of San Manuel
 * Peppersauce Cave, Primitive cave

Events

 * San Manuel Copper Classic, annual off-road motorcycle race in March hosted by The Trail Riders of Southern Arizona
 * Copper Town Days, annual event in San Manuel the second Saturday in October with a car show, food and entertainment
 * San Manuel Chili Cook-Off, music, games, vendors and taste testing
 * Santa Catalina Weekend, bicycle races

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,375 people, 1,458 households, and 1,204 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 209.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,832 housing units at an average density of 87.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 69.1% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 24.8% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. 46.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,458 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.4% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% 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 3.31.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 32.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,019, and the median income for a family was $42,563. Males had a median income of $36,463 versus $21,304 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,534. About 10.3% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: San Manuel, Arizona


text:
Santan, Arizona

Santan is an unincorporated community, and former census-designated place (CDP), in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The settlement was named "Santa Ana" by its Akimel O'odham inhabitants in 1857, and pronounced "Santana".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the former CDP had a total area of 6.4 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 651 people, 163 households, and 135 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 101.3 PD/sqmi. There were 185 housing units at an average density of 28.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 2% White, 93% Native American, 3% from other races, and 2% from two or more races. 13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 163 households, out of which 51% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33% were married couples living together, 36% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17% were non-families. 16% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6% 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 4.3.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 42.2% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $16,645, and the median income for a family was $15,227. Males had a median income of $37,857 versus $7,386 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $7,090. About 46% of families and 46% of the population were below the poverty line, including 78% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Although it's a very small town now, it is expected to grow quickly along with the rest of Pinal County.

title: Santan, Arizona


text:
Stanfield, Arizona

Stanfield is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. The population was 651 at the 2000 census. Shamrock Farms operates a farm in Stanfield.

Geography
Stanfield is located at 32.88167°N, -111.96361°W (32.881612, -111.963473).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.0 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 651 people, 187 households, and 146 families living in the CDP. The population density was 164.2 PD/sqmi. There were 202 housing units at an average density of 51.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 50.7% White, 4.0% Black or African American, 11.4% Native American, 0.9% Pacific Islander, 30.9% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 61.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 187 households 37.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 17.1% of households were one person and 9.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.48 and the average family size was 3.94.

The age distribution was 32.6% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% 65 or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.

The median household income was $22,391 and the median family income was $32,614. Males had a median income of $15,938 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,210. About 32.1% of families and 32.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.9% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of people of age 65 or over.

title: Stanfield, Arizona


text:
Superior, Arizona

Superior (Western Apache: Yooʼ Łigai) is a town in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. Superior, which is in northern Pinal County, is the oldest town in that county. According to the 2020 census, the population of the town was 2,407. Superior was founded as a mining town for the Silver King and the later Magma mines; silver was mined at first, and then transitioned to copper. Currently, exploitation of the huge Resolution Copper deposit is being explored.

History
Like nearby Globe, Ray, and Clifton, Arizona, Superior was once part of a huge Apache reservation, but after silver and copper deposits were discovered, those areas were withdrawn from the reservation and returned to the public domain.

In 1872, at the height of the American Indian Wars, a band of raiding Apache horsemen were ambushed by a United States Cavalry force from Picket Post Mountain. After losing 50 men, the Apache retreated up the mountain later named "Apache Leap". According to local legend, in the face of defeat, the remaining Apache leapt to their death rather than being captured by the cavalry, thus giving the mountain its name.

Superior was originally called Queen, then Hastings, and under the latter name was platted in 1900.

Queen had a population of around 100 circa 1880. There was a general store, 2 hotels, numerous saloons, and a post office. The Queen post office closed September 15, 1881.

The Superior townsite was laid out in 1902, and named after the Lake Superior and Arizona Copper Company (LS&A). The Superior post office opened on December 29, 1902.

By 1950, before the United States Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, schools in Superior segregated Anglo and Mexican students.

Silver King Mine
The Silver King mine began on March 22, 1875, when Charles G. Mason and four companions found native silver, and staked the Silver King claim. On March 29, 1875, the Silver Queen (Magma) vein was staked, and the Silver Queen Mining Company was organized in 1880. However, with the depletion of silver, the Silver Queen shut down in 1893, and the Silver King in 1896. In 1910, William Boyce Thompson and George Gunn bought the Silver Queen mine, and organized the Magma Copper Company. A 300-ton-per-day concentrator was built in 1914. In 1915, a narrow-gauge railway connected Superior with the Southern Pacific Railroad, which was converted to standard gauge in 1923. A smelter was built in 1924.

After 71 years of production, the Magma mine closed in August 1982 due to high operating costs and declining copper prices. Operations resumed in September 1990, but the mine closed again on June 28, 1996. During its 86-year life  (1910–1996). the Magma mine produced approximately 27.6 million short tons of ore averaging about 4.9% copper, recovering 1,299,718 short tons of copper, 36,550 short tons of zinc, approximately 686,000 ounces of gold and 34.3 million ounces of silver.

The old Magma No. 9 shaft atop Apache Leap is being used to explore the huge Resolution Copper deposit below.

Geography
Superior is located approximately 70 mi east of Phoenix and the same distance north of Tucson. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.0 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,254 people, 1,237 households, and 847 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,685 PD/sqmi. There were 1,470 housing units at an average density of 761 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 72.7% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 23.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. 69.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,237 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,069, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $34,297 versus $21,607 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,490. About 22.5% of families and 27.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.0% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.

Places of interest
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a 323-acre (1.31 km2) botanical collection that includes a wide range of habitats and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) walking trail. Founded in 1924, the arboretum is the largest and oldest botanical garden in Arizona.

Climate
Superior has a hot semi-arid climate. In January, the average high temperature is 61 °F (16 °C) with a low of 43 °F (6 °C). In July, the average high temperature is 98 °F (37 °C) with a low of 76 °F (24 °C). Annual precipitation is just over 18 inches, but is higher at greater altitudes. Despite its relatively high precipitation due to favourable aspect, Superior is too low for significant snow even in winter.

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

In popular culture
Such films as U Turn by Oliver Stone, Eight Legged Freaks, How the West Was Won, Blind Justice, The Prophecy, Skinwalkers, The Gauntlet with Clint Eastwood, and Young Billy Young are set in Superior. In 2005, a sci-fi film named The Salena Incident, also called Alien Invasion Arizona, was filmed in Superior.

title: Superior, Arizona


text:
Amado, Arizona

Amado is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 295 at the 2010 census. The Population decreased to 198 as of the 2020 census

Geography
Amado is located at 31.705°N, -111.06556°W (31.704900, -111.065492).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.7 sqkm, of which 13.6 sqkm is land and 0.04 sqkm, or 0.33%, is water.

Demographics
Amado's population was 40 in the 1960 census.

Amado appeared on the 2000 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 275 people, 104 households, and 66 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 24.5 PD/sqmi. There were 107 housing units at an average density of 9.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 70.9% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 26.2% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. 43.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 104 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,417, and the median income for a family was $82,922. Males had a median income of $22,946 versus $26,563 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,452. About 7.1% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Amado in film
The opening "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" sequence in the 1955 film Oklahoma!, with Gordon MacRae singing the famous song while riding a horse past the stalks of corn "as high as a elephant's eye", was filmed in Amado. One scene in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore was filmed in Amado at the Long Horn Grill, an iconic restaurant with an entrance in the shape of a large cow skull.

title: Amado, Arizona


text:
Elgin, Arizona

Elgin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 161 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Elgin is located along the Babocomari River at 31.62917°N, -110.57194°W (31.629095, -110.571951). The Babocomari is known to harbor a unique species of fish, belonging to the family Characidae. They are incredibly rare and little is known about them. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.4 km2, all land.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elgin has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 309 people, 123 households, and 86 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6.4 PD/sqmi. There were 153 housing units at an average density of 3.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92% White, 3% Native American, 3% from other races, and 2% from two or more races. 14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 123 households, out of which 29% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64% were married couples living together, 4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29% were non-families. 24% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3% 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 3.0.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27% under the age of 18, 4% from 18 to 24, 25% from 25 to 44, 32% from 45 to 64, and 13% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 116 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $64,167, and the median income for a family was $66,250. Males had a median income of $38,500 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,909. About 10% of families and 13% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21% of those under the age of eighteen and 7% of those 65 or over.

Film
The train station sequence in the 1955 film classic Oklahoma!, with Gene Nelson singing and dancing the song "Kansas City" partly atop a moving train, was filmed in Elgin, and the railroad scenes in the 1957 western 3:10 to Yuma, with Glenn Ford and Van Heflin, were filmed in Elgin. The 1948 film “Red River” starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift used Elgin as the site of most of the exterior shots of the cattle drive. The opening scene of the 1965 movie, “The Sons of Katie Elder,” which also starred John Wayne, used the same train station and a few of the same camera angles as the Oklahoma film

Winemaking
Elgin is the first location in Arizona to engage in commercial scale winemaking. In the 1970s, Gordon Dutt, Ph.D., a soil scientist from the University of Arizona, was intrigued with the similarity between the soil of the Elgin-Sonoita area and that of Burgundy, France. In partnership with A. Blake Brophy, he developed an experimental winery that later developed into the Sonoita Vineyards and that encouraged other vineyards in the area. Presently, growers in the area produce Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Mission, and Syrah grapes. In 2009 there were nine vineyards in the region, producing about 50,000 gallons of wine yearly.

Elgin hosts several wine festivals throughout the year, most notably the St. Martin's Day festival and the Fall festival.

The expansion of winemaking in the Elgin-Sonoita area has led to establishment of fine restaurants and bed and breakfasts and has regenerated the economy of this lightly populated, rural area.

title: Elgin, Arizona


text:
Nogales, Arizona

Nogales (English: or ) is a city in and the county seat of Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The population was 20,837 at the 2010 census and estimated 20,103 in 2019. Nogales forms part of the larger Tucson–Nogales combined statistical area, with a total population of 1,027,683 as of the 2010 Census.

Nogales forms Arizona's largest transborder agglomeration with its adjacent, much larger twin Nogales, Sonora, across the Mexican border. The southern terminus of Interstate 19 is located in Nogales at the U.S.–Mexico border; the highway continues south into Mexico as Mexico Federal Highway 15. The highways meeting in Nogales are a major road intersection in the CANAMEX Corridor, connecting Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Nogales also is the beginning of the Arizona Sun Corridor, an economically important trade region stretching from Nogales to Prescott, including the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas.

Nogales is home to four international ports of entry, including the Morley Pedestrian Port of Entry, Dennis Deconcini Pedestrian and Passenger Vehicle Port of Entry, Nogales International Airport, and the Mariposa Port of Entry. The Nogales-Mariposa Port of Entry has twelve passenger vehicle inspection lanes and eight commercial inspection lanes.

Due to its location on the border and its major ports of entry, Nogales funnels an estimated $30 billion worth of international trade into Arizona and the United States, per year, in fresh produce and manufactured goods from Mexico and the world through the deep sea port in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. This trade helps to support tens of thousands of jobs and the overall economies in Ambos Nogales and throughout the American state of Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora.

The town is named for the black walnut trees which once grew abundantly in the mountain pass between the cities of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, and can still be found around the town.

History

The name Nogales is derived from the Spanish word for 'walnut' or 'walnut tree'. It refers to the large stands of walnut trees that once stood in the mountain pass where Nogales is located.

Nogales was at the beginning of the 1775–1776 Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition as it entered the present-day U.S. from New Spain, and the town is now on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. On the second floor of the 1904 Nogales Courthouse is a small room dedicated to the 1775–1776 Anza Expedition.

In 1841, a land grant from the Mexican government to the Elías family established Los Nogales de Elías. Following the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, Nogales became a part of the United States of America. In 1880, Russian-Jewish immigrants Isaac and Jacob Isaacson homesteaded the trading post of Isaacson, Arizona, at present-day Nogales. The U.S. Postal Service opened the Isaacson post office but renamed it as Nogales in 1883.

In 1915, according to historian David Leighton, Sonora Gov. Jose M. Maytorena ordered the construction of an 11-wire fence, separating Nogales, Sonora from Nogales, Arizona, but it was taken down four months later.

On August 27, 1918, a battle between United States Army forces and Mexican militia – mostly civilian in composition – took place. Culminating as the result of a decade's worth of tensions originating from the Mexican Revolution and earlier battles in Nogales along the border in 1913 and 1915, the main consequence of the 1918 violence saw the building of the first permanent border wall between Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, along the previously unobstructed boundary line on International Street.

Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 20,878 people, 5,985 households, and 4,937 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,002.1 PD/sqmi. There were 6,501 housing units at an average density of 312.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 71.7% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 24.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. 95.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,362 households, out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 24.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.12 and the average family size was 3.62.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.6% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,044, and the median income for a family was $24,637. Males had a median income of $24,636 versus $18,403 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,440. About 30.8% of families and 32.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.2% of those under age 18 and 32.9% of those age 65 or over.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.8 sqmi, all land.

The city is at an elevation of 3829 ft.

Climate
Nogales has a semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSh/BSk), which is less hot and more rainy than a typical arid climate such as Phoenix. In the winter months, Nogales averages daily maximum temperatures in the mid to upper 60s, with December averaging daily highs of around 65 F. Lows typically settle just above the freezing mark (32 F) on a majority of nights, but it is not uncommon to see temperatures tumble below 25 F on some winter nights.

On the other hand, in the summer months, highs average between 90 and 100 F, with the month of June being the hottest with an average daytime high of 97 F. Nighttime lows for the summer months remain in the lower to mid 60s for the duration of the season. The Arizona Monsoon generally runs through July and August, and these months typically see eight inches or more of combined rainfall, which brings the average annual precipitation for Nogales to about 15 in. Some monsoon season storms are capable of producing several inches of rain in a short amount of time, creating flash flood hazards.

At the Nogales 6 N station, the all-time highest recorded temperature was 112 F, which was reached on June 26, 1990. The lowest recorded temperature was -4 F on December 8, 1978.

Economy
The economy of Nogales is heavily dependent on the cross-border trade through its Ports of Entry by produce distributors and American-based manufacturing plants in Nogales, Sonora and throughout the rest of the Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa. Most of Nogales' economy is based on agribusiness and produce distributors, which comes from large farms in the Mexican agri-belt. Despite its small population, Nogales actually receives much patronage from its bordering sister-city, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Most observers guess the population of Nogales, Sonora, at roughly 300,000. International commerce is a big part of Nogales' economy. More than 60 percent of Nogales' sales tax comes from the estimated 30,000 Mexican shoppers crossing the border daily. Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, are home to one of the largest maquiladora clusters. This enables American manufacturing plants on both sides of the border to take advantage of favorable wage and operating costs and excellent transportation and distribution networks.

The Consulate-General of Mexico in Nogales is located on 135 W. Cardwell St.

The United States Department of Homeland Security is a major economic driver in the Ambos Nogales region, with thousands of employees working for both the Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection. Due to the large federal, state, and local police presence, Nogales has one of the highest police per-capita levels in the United States.

The largest employers in Nogales are:
 * Seattle Sports
 * City of Nogales
 * County of Santa Cruz
 * Dependable Home Health
 * E.D.S. Manufacturing
 * Holy Cross Hospital
 * The Home Depot
 * Mariposa Community Health Center
 * Nogales Unified School District
 * Safeway
 * Prestolite Wire
 * UPS Supply Chain Solutions
 * Walmart

Scenic attractions
The county of Santa Cruz and the city of Nogales have 200 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Sites, including Tumacacori National Monument first visited by Father Eusebio Kino in 1691 and Tubac Presidio, established by the Spanish in 1752 on an Indian village site. Others include the Old Tubac Schoolhouse, Old Nogales City Hall, Santa Cruz County Courthouse, and Patagonia Railroad Depot. The Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary, 19 miles east, attracts worldwide visitors to see its diverse bird life. It is also host to ghost towns and mining camps, curio shops, first-class restaurants and night clubs.

The Santa Cruz County Historical Courthouse on Morley Street/Court Street has the statue of Lady Justice on top of the building. The Nogales version of Lady Justice is not wearing a blindfold.

Interesting architecture and historical homes along Crawford and Court Streets provide a glimpse of border life at its peak during that time period. A day trip to old Nogales, Sonora reveals many of the same architectural uniqueness.

Several state parks and recreation areas are located close to Nogales, including Patagonia State Park, Peña Blanca Lake, Parker Canyon Lake, and Coronado National Forest. The Wine Country of Sonoita-Elgin is also located 20 miles east of Nogales.

Government
The City of Nogales operates under a council-manager form of government in which the mayor is elected to a 4-year term and has a single vote on the city council. The council then hires a city manager to run the day-to-day operations of the city. The 6 city council members are elected at-large to 4-year terms.

Transportation
Nogales is located at the south end of Interstate 19. Arizona State Route 189 connects Interstate 19 with the Nogales-Mariposa Port of Entry and Mexican Federal Highway 15. Arizona State Route 82 connects Nogales with Patagonia and Sonoita. Interstate 11 is proposed to replace I-19, terminating in Nogales.

Santa Cruz County operates the Nogales International Airport, a general use airport.

Local bus transportation in Nogales is currently provided by local companies. Private bus companies Greyhound and TUFESA, as well as several shuttle companies, connect Nogales with Tucson and points north.

In popular culture
Many dozens of motion pictures have been filmed around the Nogales area. The Hangover Part III (2013) was partially filmed in Nogales during late 2012. Parts of town were decorated to appear to be Tijuana, Mexico. Dog (2022) was partially set in Nogales, as the location for the funeral scene at the end, although these scenes were filmed in Los Angeles, California.

Georges Simenon's novel The Bottom of the Bottle is set in Nogales. A small part of William Gibson's short story, "The Gernsback Continuum" refers to the city of Nogales. It is also mentioned as a border crossing point in Carlos Castaneda's Don Juan series, and a gateway into the Mexican Yaqui communities of Sonora.

Nogales is discussed at length in the popular political economics book Why Nations Fail, comparing the relative success of Nogales, Arizona, to the poverty of Nogales, Sonora.

Oscar winner Benicio del Toro dedicated his award to Ambos Nogales during his acceptance speech at the 73rd Annual Academy Awards in 2001.

Notable people

 * Bob Baffert – 2015 & 2018 Triple Crown winner, champion horse breeder and trainer
 * Andrew Leo Bettwy – Arizona State Land Commissioner 1970–78
 * Movita Castaneda – Actress best known for being the second wife of actor Marlon Brando
 * Travis Edmonson – Member of 1960's influential folk duo "Bud & Travis"
 * Adrian Fontes – 22nd and current Secretary of State of Arizona since 2023
 * John Frederick "Jack" Hannah – Academy Award-winning Disney Studios artist and director
 * Gil Heredia – 10-year Major League Baseball pitcher and University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame member, born 1965.
 * Christine McIntyre – Actress, starred in 22 feature films, most notably as supporting character in Three Stooges films
 * Charles Mingus – Jazz bass player, composer, and bandleader
 * Jack O'Connor – Longtime firearms editor for Outdoor Life magazine
 * Alberto Alvaro Ríos – Author, poet, won the 1981 Walt Whitman award for "Whispering to Fool the Wind", current State of Arizona Poet Laureate.
 * Roger Smith – Actor, star of 77 Sunset Strip, husband to movie star Ann-Margret.
 * Verita Bouvaire-Thompson – Actress turned hairdresser, Humphrey Bogart's friend.

title: Nogales, Arizona


text:
Patagonia, Arizona

Patagonia is a town in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 913. It developed in the mid-19th century as a trading and supply center for nearby mines and ranches. In the 21st century, it is a tourist destination, retirement community, and arts and crafts center.

Geography
The town is located in the valley of Sonoita Creek between the Santa Rita Mountains to the north and the Patagonia Mountains to the south. State Route 82 passes through the town. Nogales lies to the southwest and Sonoita to the northeast.

The former mining camps (now ghost towns) of Harshaw, Duquesne and Lochiel lie to the southeast along the eastern margin of the Patagonia Mountains. The high San Rafael Valley also lies to the southeast. Patagonia Lake State Park, around Patagonia Lake, lies about six miles southwest of the town.

Most of the soils are calcareous silty clay loams (Pima series), with calcareous sandy loam of the Comoro series and noncalcareous sandy loam of the Caralampi series also present.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 km2, all land.

History
The area where Patagonia is located provided Native-American communities, with plentiful hunting and fishing opportunities. Archaeologists have identified the remains of Native American settlements, resource processing sites, and petroglyphs in the area surrounding Patagonia. The area was known as a Tohono O'odham ranchería, or seasonal village, called Sonoitac.

In 1539, Spanish explorer Fray Marcos de Niza entered the area near Lochiel on the Mexican border. He continued on his journey to Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico also known as the Seven Cities of Cibola. Marcos de Niza is credited with being the first European in what is now the State of Arizona. The main Native American tribes in the area at that time were the Sobaipuri and Papago (Tohono O'odham).

In 1692, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino came to the area as a missionary. His main objective was to convert the natives to Catholicism. The area became part of his Mission Los Santos Ángeles de Guevavi. By 1698, Father Kino encouraged his group to make their way up to Sonoita Creek. When they arrived in Sonoita Creek they encountered groups of indigenous people living along the area in which the creek was located. In the future that area would become known as Patagonia.

According to Gilbert Quiroga, president of the Patagonia Museum, Welsh miners came to this region from Patagonia, a region encompassing the vast southernmost tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile, divided by the Andes mountains. The mountains in this area of Arizona, which the Native Americans called Chihuahuillas, reminded the miners of the Andes, and they began calling them the Patagonia Mountains.

The mission period was ended in 1768 by a decree of Charles III of Spain. In 1821, the Mexican War of Independence between Mexico and Spain came to an end and the territory of New Spain, which included Arizona, was ceded to Mexico.

By the mid-1850s prospectors were mining the silver-rich mountains east of Sonoita. By the 1860s vast amounts of silver and lead were retrieved from the Patagonia Mountains each year. In 1854, the United States purchased the region from Mexico in what is known as the Gadsden Purchase. Americans of European descent from the East Coast of the United States began to arrive in the area. They were protected from the constant attacks of the Apaches by the United States Military. However, The majority of the troops were withdrawn from the area upon the outbreak of the American Civil War. Fort Buchanan, a small garrison established in 1856 near Sonoita, was overrun by the Apaches. Thus, the miners, ranchers and farmers in the region were without protection from the Apaches and many of them moved to other areas.

The Civil War between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy) ended in 1865. In 1867, the United States Army established a military post called Camp Crittenden close to Sonoita. The camp, which later was renamed Fort Crittenden, was involved in a campaign against the Apache with the intention of protecting the American pioneers in the area. The miners, ranchers and farmers returned to the area once more. Rollin Rice Richardson, a veteran of the Civil War, made a fortune in mining. In 1896, Rollin hired J.C. Green, a surveyor from Tucson, to plot the settlement. As a result, he founded the town that same year and in 1899, he applied to open a post office. Richardson wanted the town to be named "Rollin" in his honor, however the residents of the area opposed. They petitioned the United States Post Master General to name the town Patagonia after the nearby mountain. Patagonia was recognized as the official name of the town in 1900 by the United States Postal Office Department in Washington, D.C.

That same year, a two-story railroad depot was built and Patagonia became the commercial center of the mining district in the Santa Cruz County. The ranching and cattle industry also played an important role in the economy of Patagonia. The arrival of the New Mexico and Arizona Railroad to Patagonia gave the ranchers and miners a new outlet for their products and access to manufactured goods.

By 1917, Patagonia had running water, an Opera House, three hotels, a schoolhouse, two parks and several stores and saloons. Richardson practically ruled the town until his death in 1923. Patagonia was formally incorporated in 1948.

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 881 people, 404 households, and 239 families in the town. The population density was 738.7 PD/sqmi. There were 498 housing units at an average density of 417.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 86% White, 1% Native American, <1% Asian, 11% from other races, and 2% from two or more races. 39.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 404 households 23% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47% were married couples living together, 9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41% were non-families. 35% of households were one person and 15% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.8.

The age distribution was 21% under the age of 18, 5% from 18 to 24, 20% from 25 to 44, 32% from 45 to 64, and 21% 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median household income was $25,795 and the median family income was $31,000. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $24,844 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,325. About 18% of families and 25% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36% of those under age 18 and 17% of those age 65 or over.

As of 2010 Patagonia had a population of 913. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 56% non-Hispanic white, less than 1% African American, less than 2% Native American, less than 1% non-Hispanics reporting some other race, 1% reporting two or more races and 42% Hispanic or Latino.

Notable people

 * Erik Asphaug, planetary scientist
 * Philip Caputo, author
 * Jim Harrison, novelist, poet, and food critic
 * Hilde Lysiak, journalist
 * Gary Nabhan, prizewinning writer and ethnobotanist

title: Patagonia, Arizona


text:
Sonoita, Arizona

Sonoita is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 803 at the 2020 census.

The origin of the name of the CDP is the O'odham Ṣon ʼOidag, which may be best translated as "spring field".

Geography
Sonoita is located in northern Santa Cruz County. The community is at the intersection of Arizona State Route 83 and Arizona State Route 82. The Santa Rita Mountains and the Canelo Hills lie to the west and southwest respectively. The headwaters of Sonoita Creek are just west of the site.

Historic Fort Crittenden and Fort Buchanan lie approximately four miles west of Sonoita, just north of Sonoita Creek and Route 82.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 27.3 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 826 people, 358 households, and 264 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 18.1 PD/sqmi. There were 401 housing units at an average density of 8.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.6% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 6.5% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. 16.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 358 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.5% 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 2.3 and the average family size was 2.7.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 2.5% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 37.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,310, and the median income for a family was $58,571. Males had a median income of $46,042 versus $26,406 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,312. About 2.8% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

 * Alex Flanagan, sports journalist
 * Mark Wystrach, musician, member of country band Midland
 * Rick Renzi, U.S. Congressman, owner Rainwhisper Ranch.

title: Sonoita, Arizona


text:
Tubac, Arizona

Tubac is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,191 at the 2010 census. The place name "Tubac" is an English borrowing from a Hispanicized form of the O'odham name Cuwak, which translates into English as "place of dark water". When first taken into Spanish speech, it was spelled Tubaca. Finally, over time, the latter "a" was dropped. Tubac is situated on the Santa Cruz River.

Tubac was the original Spanish colonial garrison in Arizona. It was depopulated during the O'odham Uprising in the 18th century. During the 19th century, the area was repopulated by miners, farmers and ranchers, but the town of Tubac is best known today as an artists' colony.

History
Established in 1752 as a Spanish presidio, the first Spanish colonial garrison in what is now Arizona, Tubac was one of the stops on the Camino Real (the "Royal Road") from Mexico to the Spanish settlements in California.

Tubac's most famous Spanish resident was Juan Bautista de Anza. While stationed at Tubac (1760–1776), de Anza built the chapel of Santa Gertrudis, the foundations of which lie beneath today's St. Ann's Church.

Apaches attacked the town repeatedly in the 1840s, forcing the Sonoran Mexicans to abandon both Tumacacori and Tubac.

Tubac was the scene of a four-day siege in 1861 among the population of Tubac, Confederate militia, and Apache warriors.

The Confederates won and the Confederate flag used by the headquarters in Richmond was raised. When Union troops then started to approach Tucson, the Confederate troops left Tubac. There the town lay abandoned; grass grew in the streets and the adobe houses crumbled away.

From the 1930s–1960s, Tubac evolved into an art colony. Painter Dale Nichols opened an art school in the small desert village in 1948 and restored some of Tubac's historic buildings. Students included watercolorist Al Romo and sculptor Bob Brisley. In 1955, artist Ross Stefan established a studio in the village. In 1961, the Santa Cruz Valley Art Association was formed with 80 members. This group founded the Tubac Festival of the Arts in 1964. Other significant artists in the Village included Sophie and Harwood Steiger, Hal Empie and Hugh Cabot.

Geography
Tubac is located at 31.62556°N, -111.05194°W (31.625462, -111.051921).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 28.0 km2, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,191 people residing in Tubac. The racial makeup of Tubac was 76.7% non-Hispanic White, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.59% Asian, 6.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 20.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In Tubac 1.5% of the population was age 0–4, 4.7% from 5 to 17, 51.0% from 18 to 64, and 42.5% 65 years of age or older. The population of Tubac is 52.4% female and 47.6% male.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 949 people, 481 households, and 303 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 115.9 PD/sqmi. There were 569 housing units at an average density of 69.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.7% White, 1.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 9.0% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. 18.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 481 households, out of which 12.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 2.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.45.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 12.3% under the age of 18, 2.5% from 18 to 24, 12.1% from 25 to 44, 37.8% from 45 to 64, and 35.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,444, and the median income for a family was $59,375. Males had a median income of $36,528 versus $30,268 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $46,643. About 2.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
The remains of the old Spanish presidio are preserved by Tubac Presidio State Historic Park. The park also features a regional museum, an underground archeology display, and other historic buildings. Modern Tubac is home to over 100 art galleries, home decor boutiques, gift shops, jewelers, potters, and artists of every kind. There is a very active art school, along with several restaurants and a golf resort nestled along a verdant valley with one of the oldest stands of cottonwoods in the state.

Historic ruins and structures in Tubac which includes the Presidio Captains Quarters, St. Ann's Catholic Church, the Tubac schoolhouse and various historic residences.

Notable people
Congressman Will Rogers, Jr. retired to a ranch near Tubac and is buried at the Tubac Cemetery.

title: Tubac, Arizona


text:
Tumacacori, Arizona

Tumacacori is an unincorporated community in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States, which abuts the community of Carmen. Together, the communities constitute the Tumacacori-Carmen census-designated place (CDP). The population of the CDP was 393 at the 2010 census.

History
Tumacacori is the site of Mission San José de Tumacácori, a Franciscan mission that was built in the late 18th century. It takes its name from an earlier mission site founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1691, which is on the east side of the Santa Cruz River, south of the national park. This Kino-period mission was founded at an extant native O'odham or Sobaipuri settlement and represents the first mission in southern Arizona, but not the first mission in Arizona. The remains of the native settlement are still extant and have been investigated and reported on by archaeologist Deni Seymour.

The later Franciscan mission, which is now a ruin preserved as Tumacácori National Historical Park, was never rebuilt after being abandoned after repeated Apache raids in the 19th century that killed farmers and ranchers in the area and put a stop to the growth of the area's economy. Nearby Tubac was besieged in 1861.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Tumacacori-Carmen CDP has a total area of 5.1 km2, all land. The locale is in a valley cut by the Santa Cruz River.

Climate
Tumacacori has a semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk) with cool winters and hot summers.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 569 people, 223 households, and 152 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 91.6 PD/sqmi. There were 252 housing units at an average density of 40.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 77.0% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 17.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 58.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 223 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55, and the average family size was 3.13.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,938, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $26,806 versus $18,594 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,607. About 10.1% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 26.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Tumacacori National Park Museum, once used by the Franciscan missionaries in the Mission San José de Tumacácori.

title: Tumacacori, Arizona


text:
Ash Fork, Arizona

Ash Fork is a census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. Its population was 396 at the 2010 U.S. Census, down from 457 in 2000.

History
Ash Fork has proclaimed itself "The Flagstone Capital of the World", due to the large number of stone quarries and stone yards in and around the town. The title of "Flagstone Capital of the World," was bestowed upon Ash Fork by the Ash Fork Development Association and Ash Fork Historical Society. The title was officially bestowed upon the town in 2014 by the Arizona House of Representatives with the passage of H.R. 2001.

The community was established as a siding of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, later known as the Santa Fe Railroad, in October 1882. It was purportedly named in 1883 by F.W. Smith, general superintendent of the railroad, in reference to a thicket of ash trees at the site. The first official post office was established on April 12, 1883, with one Henry W. Kline serving as the first Postmaster. Following an uncontrollable fire in 1885, the entire town of Ash Fork burned in 1893, and was rebuilt on the opposite side of the railroad tracks from its original location, where it remains today.

In later years, Ash Fork was the location of the Escalante, a large hotel and "Harvey House" built in 1907 and closed in 1948, operated by the Fred Harvey Company. Ash Fork's convenient location along the railway and later famous U.S. Route 66 made it recognizable to many cross-country travelers, as evidenced by its fleeting mention in several films from the era of classical Hollywood cinema such as 1947's Dark Passage, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

U.S. Route 66 provided a slight boost to the town's economy in the 1950s, but construction of the divided highway through the town resulted in the destruction of many of the storefronts, sidewalks, and residential streets, forever altering the aesthetic qualities of the downtown area. When the Santa Fe Railroad moved its main line north and away from the town in 1960, Ash Fork lost nearly half its population, as most families employed by the railway were forced to leave the area.

Another large fire, known locally as the "Big Fire", devastated the community on November 20, 1977, destroying most of the downtown businesses. When I-40 bypassed the town soon after, drastically reducing traffic on Route 66, the local economy never fully recovered. The community's last major fire occurred on October 7, 1987, destroying nearly all the remaining buildings along the two-block business district located on the south side of Route 66.

Part of what was once Route 66 still runs directly through Ash Fork, though as a divided highway, with Park Avenue running east and Lewis Avenue running west, both serving as a main thoroughfare. Historic buildings, including a false-front structure and old railroad company houses can be seen along these streets. The majority of the town's limited commercial establishments can be found along Park Avenue. The Ash Fork Post Office is also located on this street.

Certain areas of the town were selected to be used as sets in the filming of 1992's Universal Soldier, supposedly due to the extremely low purchase price and poor condition of several buildings, including an old motel, which were blown up for cinematic effect.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.3 sqmi, all land.

Geologic places of interest include the Cathedral Caves, which are about 10 mi west of town off Arizona Road, and Dante's Descent, a 275 ft -deep sinkhole also known as "Devil's Hole", which is around 5 miles northwest of Ash Fork, off Crookton Road. After its closing by the state, however, Dante's Descent cannot legally be visited by the public. Pictorial and historic documentation of the natural attraction may be found at the Ash Fork Library.

Ash Fork lies near Kaibab National Forest and Coconino National Forest, and international attractions such as the Grand Canyon are roughly an hour's drive away using major roads. Service roads allow swifter access to back areas of Grand Canyon National Park, but may not be open to public thoroughfare.

Approximately 15 mi to the north of Ash Fork is Beale Road, which has the distinction of being the first federally funded highway. The internationally renowned U.S. Route 66 also runs directly through the town. Notably, the longest original, uninterrupted stretch of Route 66 still in existence (about 9.6 miles (15.4 km) long) can be found between Ash Fork and Seligman, Arizona, beginning just beyond Ash Fork at Crookton Road. The surrounding geographical area and settlements served as inspiration for the 2006 Pixar film Cars.

Climate
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 89 °F. According to the Köppen climate classification, Ash Fork has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, Csb on climate maps.

Demographics
Ash Fork (or Ashfork) first appeared on the 1910 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village with 517 residents, the fourth-largest community in Yavapai County (behind Prescott, Jerome, and Humboldt). Although it did not report a separate population for the village, it did report as the Ash Fork precinct in 1920 and 1930 (reporting a majority White population in the latter). The population of Ash Fork was 681in the 1960 census. In 2000, it was made a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, 457 people, 149 households, and 109 families were residing in the CDP. The population density was 199.1 people.sq mi (76.7/km2). The 189 housing units had an average density of 82.3/sq mi (31.7/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.3% White, 1.3% Native American, 1.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 51.4% of the population.

Of the 149 households, 35.6% had children under 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were not families. About 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.07, and the average family size was 3.45.

In the CDP, the age distribution was 28.7% under 18, 13.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 161.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 143.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,893, and for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $23,854 versus $21,094 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,802. About 16.5% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

The numerous flagstone quarries and companies are often cited as the largest employers in the area, as is the local school district, to which most teachers commute from nearby cities.

Education
It is in the Ash Fork School District.

Notable people

 * Adam Kokesh, libertarian political activist

title: Ash Fork, Arizona


text:
Bagdad, Arizona

Bagdad is a copper mining community and census-designated place (CDP) in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States, in the western part of the state. It is one of only two remaining company towns in Arizona. The population was 1,876 at the 2010 census, up from 1,578 in 2000.

Name
According to legend, the name "Bagdad" is not a misspelling of "Baghdad". Supposedly a father and son operated a small-scale copper mining operation there in the late 1800s. The father dug out the ore and the son loaded it into bags. When one bag was full he asked his father "Do you have a bag, dad?" However, this is disputed and some say the name derives from the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, imagined as an epitome of wealth and luxury.

Demographics
Bagdad first appeared on the 1930 U.S. Census as the Bagdad Precinct of Yavapai County. It was recorded as having a Spanish/Hispanic majority for that census (the census would not separately feature that racial demographic again until 1980). With the combination of all county precincts into 3 districts in 1940, it did not formally appear again until 1960, when it reported as an unincorporated village. In 1980, it was made a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,876 people, 682 households, and 485 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 237.5 PD/sqmi. There were 838 housing units at an average density of 106.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.6% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 3.0% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 6.3% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. 24.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 682 households, out of which 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 33.1% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $58,277, and the median income for a family was $61,850. Males had a median income of $50,000 versus $40,506 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,370. About 1.3% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Geography and climate
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.9 sqmi, all land.

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Bagdad has a typical Arizona semi-arid climate, located on the boundary between BSh and BSk on climate maps.

Copper mine
In 1882, prospectors W.J. Pace and J.M. Murphy staked a claim for gold, silver, and lead along Copper Creek. In 1883, John Lawler of Prescott, Arizona paid Pace and Murphy $200 for their claims, but were unable to make a success of it. In 1907, the Giroux Syndicate purchased an option on Lawler's claims for $200,000, with Edmond Bronson as president. However, the mine was still not able to earn a profit, and operations languished off and on for years. In 1944, the operation was purchased by John C. Lincoln, the builder of the Camelback Inn, who converted the mine entirely from underground operation to open-pit. In 1979, the operation was purchased by AMOCO Minerals, eventually owned by Cyprus Mines.

Cyprus Mines Corporation operated the copper mine until Cyprus merged with Phelps Dodge. Freeport-McMoRan (which acquired Phelps Dodge in 2007) now operates the copper/molybdenum mine. This copper mine does open pit mining and runs on an around-the-clock schedule. The copper concentrate is either trucked to southern Arizona, or taken by semi to 20 miles outside of town to the BNSF Railway's Phoenix Subdivision in Hillside.

Services
Freeport-McMoRan owns all of the housing and commercial buildings in Bagdad. The town has a main shopping center named Copper Plaza, with a small Bashas' grocery store and other businesses. Copper Plaza used to have a bank, but Stockmen's Bank pulled out due to lack of profits. However, the Arizona State Credit Union and the Bashas' Associates Federal Credit Union (BAFCU) both installed ATMs inside Bashas'.

The Bagdad Community Health Center operates a medical clinic. Fry's Food and Drug operates a pharmacy in this clinic as well.

Education
Bagdad Unified School District was formed on July 1, 1930. The first graduating class from Bagdad High School was in 1945.

The Bagdad Unified School District #20 consists of a high school, elementary school, and a junior high school. The high school and junior high are merged into one. All of the teachers in the high school and junior high teach every grade level. All schools of this district are now on one campus.

Bagdad High School consists of 7th through 12th grades. Bagdad Elementary School consists of preschool through 6th grades.

The Yavapai County Free Library District operates the Bagdad Library.

Transportation
Arizona State Route 96 connects Bagdad with Arizona State Route 97 and Hillside, Arizona.

title: Bagdad, Arizona


text:
Village of Oak Creek, Arizona

Village of Oak Creek is an unincorporated community located within Big Park a census-designated place (CDP) in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. The population was 6,147 at the 2010 census, up from 5,245 in 2000. Big Park is the name of the CDP while the community is more commonly known as the Village of Oak Creek (VOC), and is a bedroom community for Sedona, located seven miles away. Tourism and service to retirees and second-home owners are the basis for the local economy. Big Park, the pioneers' name for the large open area that became the Village of Oak Creek in the early 1960s, is set among scenic red-rock buttes and canyons. The Bell Rock scenic area adjoins the north end of VOC, and the town is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. A Forest Service Visitor Center is located at the south end of VOC.

Big Park's FIPS code is 07570. Residents of VOC have a Sedona ZIP code, 86351.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.6 sqmi, all land. , Big Park / Village of Oak Creek is a designated Dark Sky Community.

Demographics
Village of Oak Creek first appeared as the Oak Creek Precinct in 1910. It did not reappear on the census again until 1990, when it was called Big Park and was made a census-designated place (CDP). In 2010, the name was changed to the present Village of Oak Creek (although alternatively called Big Park on census documents).

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,245 people, 2,560 households, and 1,602 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,154.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,117 housing units at an average density of 685.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.6% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,560 households, out of which 14.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.44.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 12.7% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 18 to 24, 17.7% from 25 to 44, 33.0% from 45 to 64, and 33.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,477, and the median income for a family was $46,268. Males had a median income of $38,007 versus $24,826 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,026. About 5.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

Arts
The Verde Valley Music Festival was held on the first weekend of each October at the Verde Valley School, just west of VOC. The Festival was a fundraiser for Native American scholarships at VVS, and long benefited from the sponsorship and generosity of Jackson Browne, whose son attended the school. Normally a mostly-acoustical show, past headliners include Browne (who almost always performs), Neil Young, and Bruce Cockburn.

Education
The Village of Oak Creek is served by the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District, and previously hosted the Big Park Community School (K-6), "Home of the Coyotes".

Verde Valley School, an International Baccalaureate boarding/college preparatory high school with many international and Native American students, is located between the Oak Creek and Red Rock Crossing. VVS was founded in 1948 by Hamilton and Barbara Warren. Scholars who helped found the school and guide its early years included Harvard anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and John Collier, Commissioner of Indian Affairs during the Franklin Roosevelt administration.

Notable people
English portrait and abstract artist Kevin Geary moved to the Village of Oak Creek in 2008.

title: Village of Oak Creek, Arizona