Datelan Army Air Field

Historical marker location:

Dateland, Arizona

( Marker is on Ave 64E near U.S. 8, on the left when traveling south.)

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."