Contributed Photo: The Gila County Courthouse circa 1888.
Contributed Article By Carol Broeder
GILA COUNTY – Often referred to as the “Heart of Arizona,” Gila County’s location at the center of the Grand Canyon State is just one of many reasons.
With a population of 53,500 residents and covering 4,796 square miles, Gila County lures outdoor enthusiasts to choose a place to live, work, and enjoy the best mix of Arizona’s desert, mountains, and lakes.
Formed on Feb. 8, 1881, from parts of Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Gila County later added the northern portion of the county from Yavapai County.
Since that day, Gila County has had a total of 78 supervisors, as District 2 Supervisor Tim Humphrey explains.
“The first board of supervisors consisted of J.K. Smith; Joseph Chamberlain and George Danforth,” he said. “They appointed themselves as the board and held their first official board meeting on March 5, 1881.” About a month later, the first election for the board was held on April 4, 1881.
As Sup. Humphrey points out, “mining and ranching have supported Gila County since the 1800s.”
Mineral deposits brought miners in 1874 when silver was discovered in Globe – eclipsed within a decade by vast deposits of copper.
Copper, silver, and gold are still mined here, and our Western heritage isn’t just an artifact or a façade: mining and ranching were pillars of our economy during the first half of the 20th century.
While education, health care, tourism, retail, and construction now employ more of our diverse workforce, 30 ranches continue to manage some 15,000 cattle and copper’s luster still shines – an industry employing about 3,000.
“Our county is full of rich history – from the famous Pleasant Valley War between the Grahams and the Tewksbury’s that became one of the costliest wars in America to our county being home to two governors, George WP Hunt and Rose Mofford,” says District 3 Supervisor Woody Cline, describing himself as “always a proud citizen” born and raised in Gila County.
District 1 Supervisor Steve Christensen also talks about our rich and impressive history, including the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo; the Hashknife Pony Express annual ride; Zane Grey’s cabin, as well as our ancient Native American legacy.
Encompassing 17 communities, Gila County is notable for no less than three separate Apache Nations: the Tonto Apache Reservation, plus sections of both the Fort Apache and San Carlos Apache Reservations.
Along with being the “Heart of Arizona,” Gila County has also been the “Treasure of Arizona” for more than 140 years, Sup. Christensen says.
“Its natural beauty and diverse ecosystems provide visitors and residents everything from Saguaro rich desert landscapes to the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the world,” he explains. “One-of-a-kind features, such as the Tonto Natural Bridge, Fossil Creek, and the Mogollon Rim make Gila County unique in Arizona.”
Located on the northeastern edge of the Sonoran Desert, Gila County covers a wide variety of life zones–from iconic Saguaro cacti in the low desert to pinyon-juniper grasslands, chaparral, and montane forests of pine, fir, and aspen.
Roosevelt Lake (one of Arizona’s most popular for fishing, boating, and recreation) is wholly within Gila County.
Spanning 1,080 feet, the scenic bridge over the lake is the longest two-lane, single-span, steel-arch bridge in North America.
Along with Tonto National Monument and Fossil Creek, the Salt River wilderness areas and popular campsites within the Tonto National Forest are also among Gila County’s bragging rights.
Speaking of boasts, here’s another: Tonto Natural Bridge State Park north of Payson is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.
It stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot-long tunnel measuring 150 feet at its widest point.
Gila County Manager James Menlove perhaps sums it up best when describing his travels, “I’m blessed to have a daily dose of scenic beauty with each drive here in Gila County: my week began with a daybreak drive around Roosevelt Lake – over its record-setting bridge while headed to Payson, turning north for the first views of the ‘mountains majesty’ of the Mogollon Rim.”
“Another day’s meeting brings a drive on either of our state’s official designated scenic roads: Highway 60, or the “desert to pines” State Route 288,” he said. “Each dawn in Gila County is a new opportunity to be inspired by a sunrise or fiery sunset more breathtaking than any painting…Happy Birthday Gila County!”
Read more at discovergilacounty.com. Join our online community at facebook.com/gilacountygovernment.
