Historical Markers in
Pinal County, Arizona

Acadia Ranch All Saint's Church American Flag Andronico Loroña House Apache Trail Aquiles Arriola Square Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church Barony of Arizola Battle at Picacho Bear Down Bluebird Mine and Gift Shop C. G. Powell People's Store C.D. Henry House Camp Florence Carmen Michea House Casa Grande Union High School "Old Main" Charles Rapp Saloon Chas. D. Poston Conrad Brunenkant Building Cosgrove House Dedicated to Ira H. Hayes USMC Dedicated to the Memory of Matthew B. Juan Denier & Richmond General Merchandise Store Dons's Camp E.N. Fish & Co. Store Elena Llescas House Elmer Coker House Emma Monk Guild House First Pinal County Courthouse Florence High School Florence Town Hall / Police and Fire Department Florence Woman's Club Gadsden Purchase George A. Brown House George-Brockway House Ghost Town of Adamsville Ghost Town of Goldfield Gila River Indian Reservation Gila River Internment Center - Rivers, Arizona Goldfield Mining District Granville H. Oury Granville Wheat Outbuilding Harvey-Niemeyer House Heritage Hall Historic Pinal Cemetery Honoring Native American Women Veterans Huffman House Ignacio Manjarres House In Honor of Mormon Battalion In Memory of the Men of St. Peter's Mission In Memory of Tom Mix Jacob Suter House Jacob Von Walzer Jesus Martinez House Jesus Preciado de Luna/Bernardina Loroña Residence John Keating House John Nicholas Building John Nicholas Saloon and Beer Hall John P. Clum House John Zellweger House Juan Avenenti Building Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail / Camp 21: El Aquituni Kearny, Arizona La Capilla del Gila La Casa Del High Jinks Levi Ruggles Manuel Robles House Mauk Building Memorial to the 1st California Cavalry Volunteers Michea House and Lone Star General Store Military Order Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Mormon Battalion Trail Nicholas Residence Picket Post Mountain Porter Air Locomotive Poston's Butte Red Rock Post Office Robert Taylor 'Bob' Jones Roosevelt Dam Ross/Fryer – Cushman Residence Sam Kee Residence Silver King Florence Hotel Sonora, Arizona Spinas "Rental House" Stage Station and Homestead Stephen Tyng Mather Superstition Mountain Historical Society The Coolidge Woman's Club The First Presbyterian Church of Florence The Hanging Tree Thomas Fulbright Residence Those Who Are Gone Tom Mix & Tony, Jr. Truman – Randell House US 60 History Trail W.C. Smith/Rittenouse/Arriola's Cosmopolitan Store Walker – Oury House What is the Story Behind the Picketpost House? White-McCarthy Lumber and Hardware Company William Clark House Women's Club of Casa Grande
The Grand Canyon was not always a national park: The Grand Canyon was first designated a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, and it was not until 1919 that it became a national park. Today, the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Pinal County, located in south-central Arizona, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Akimel O'odham (Pima) and the Tohono O'odham (Papago) peoples, who relied on farming and hunting for sustenance.

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the region and established missions, bringing with them new technologies and crops. The area would later become part of the New Spain territory and, eventually, Mexico after gaining independence from Spain in 1821.

In the mid-19th century, the region experienced a significant influx of American settlers due to the discovery of gold and silver deposits. This led to the establishment of mining towns such as Silver King and the growth of other industries like ranching and agriculture. However, conflicts with Native American tribes and the harsh desert environment presented challenges to the early pioneers.

The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1870s brought further growth and development to Pinal County. Railroads played a crucial role in transporting goods and people, facilitating trade and commerce with neighboring regions. The county's economy flourished during this period, driven by mining, farming, and the construction of towns along the rail lines.

In recent decades, Pinal County has experienced rapid population growth, driven in part by its proximity to the Phoenix metropolitan area. Today, the county boasts a diverse economy, with sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and tourism playing a significant role in its development. Pinal County continues to embrace its rich past while looking toward a vibrant and promising future.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Pinal County, Arizona.

  • 1875: Pinal County is established in the Arizona Territory.
  • 1877: Florence is designated as the county seat.
  • 1891: Mining begins in the Silver King Mine, leading to a population boom in the county.
  • 1901: Kearny, Arizona, is founded as a mining town.
  • 1918-1919: A flu pandemic hits Pinal County, causing significant loss of life.
  • 1942: The Japanese internment camp, Gila River War Relocation Center, is established in Pinal County during World War II.
  • 1947: Construction of the Coolidge Dam on the Gila River is completed.
  • 1985: The town of Queen Creek incorporates, becoming the newest municipality in Pinal County.
  • 2003: Pinal County experiences rapid growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States.