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Historical marker location:

Springerville, Arizona

( Marker is at the intersection of Apache Street and Supai, on the left when traveling east on Apache Street.)

Marker installed: 2002

The first documented European exploration of Arizona was in 1539: Spanish explorer Marcos de Niza became the first European to explore what is now Arizona in 1539. He claimed the area for Spain and named it "Arizona" after a Native American word meaning "silver-bearing."