Lee Ferry

Historical marker location:

Marble Canyon, Arizona

( Marker is on U.S. 89A at milepost 538, on the right when traveling west.)

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."