Everything Higley is known for
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Higley.
Queen Creek might seem like a typical, family-friendly Arizona town, defined by its views of the San Tan Mountains and the rhythms of community life. But even here, where Horseshoe Park hosts national equestrian events and Schnepf Farms draws crowds for its annual Pumpkin and Chili Party, dreams take root.
Mesa began as a vision of agricultural prosperity, an idea etched into the desert landscape with the completion of the Mesa Canal in 1878. The name itself, "Mesa," a Spanish word for "table top," speaks to the geography that defined the area — a high plateau offering a slightly cooler climate than Phoenix below. This elevation, 1,241 feet above sea level, offered a respite from the harsh desert heat. The early settlers, driven by the promise of fertile land, transformed the arid expanse into a patchwork of fields, a testament to human ingenuity and back-breaking labor. The Great Flood of 1891, a devastating event, ironically reshaped the agricultural practices, forcing innovation and adaptation in the face of nature’s raw power. Over time, Mesa evolved from its agricultural roots into a modern city, its economy diversifying into healthcare, retail, and education. While farming remained important, new industries took hold, drawing people from across the country. The city became a haven for sports enthusiasts, a place where the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd echoed through the valley during spring training. HoHoKam Stadium, and later Sloan Park, became synonymous with the Chicago Cubs, a symbol of tradition and the perennial hope of a championship season. The city's growth hasn't come at the expense of safety, as Mesa consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States, a testament to the community's commitment to well-being. Danica Patrick, though born elsewhere, learned to race here, fitting in with the city's go-getter attitude.
Mesa, Arizona, a city whose very name, meaning "table top" in Spanish, reflects its geography, has seen its share of notable figures.
20 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Higley, Arizona, owes its existence to the fertile land carved from the desert by the Consolidated Canal. Like much of the East Valley, its story is inextricably linked to cotton. The area's hot, dry climate and access…
Queen Creek might seem like a typical, family-friendly Arizona town, defined by its views of the San Tan Mountains and the rhythms of community life. But even here, where Horseshoe Park hosts national equestrian events…
Gilbert, Arizona, owes its existence to the fertile land and the arrival of the Arizona Eastern Railway in 1902. Farmers, drawn by the promise of irrigation and rich soil, began to settle in the area. The railway…
Chandler, Arizona, unlike some of its neighbors, owes its existence to a very specific set of circumstances. It began as a cotton farming community thanks to Dr. A.J. Chandler, whose vision for agricultural development…
Looking for a relaxing dip? This spot was once home to the Buckhorn Baths Motel, a desert oasis built around natural mineral hot springs. Ted and Alice Sliger started with a gas station and store here in 1936. By 1939,…
La Mesa sits nestled in the embrace of the Sonoran Desert, a landscape sculpted by eons of geological activity. The area’s defining feature is undoubtedly its flatness. "La Mesa" itself means "the table" in Spanish, a…
Mesa began as a vision of agricultural prosperity, an idea etched into the desert landscape with the completion of the Mesa Canal in 1878. The name itself, "Mesa," a Spanish word for "table top," speaks to the geography…
Imagine a thriving desert city, bustling centuries before Phoenix even existed. That's what Mesa Grande was. Between 1100 and 1400, the Hohokam people built this massive adobe complex, part of a larger network of…
Ever wonder how a small farming town blossomed into the city of Mesa? You're near the Mesa Historical Museum, a treasure trove of the city's past. The Mesa Historical Society founded the museum in 1987 to preserve and…
Imagine living in a thriving desert community over a thousand years ago – that was Snaketown, a major settlement of the Hohokam people. Between about 750 and 1150 AD, Snaketown was a hub of culture and agriculture in…
Prepare to be amazed! This stunning auditorium, ASU Gammage, is one of the last public works designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright originally conceived the design as an opera house for Baghdad in 1957.…
This isn't just another college building; it's the heart of Arizona State University, Old Main, standing since before Arizona was even a state! Built in 1898, Old Main was the centerpiece of the Arizona Territorial…
Tempe's story begins with a river, specifically the Salt River. In the 1870s, Charles Trumbull Hayden recognized the strategic importance of a reliable river crossing, establishing Hayden's Ferry. This ferry was more…
Pull over here for a second. You're looking at the oldest continuously occupied structure in the entire Valley of the Sun. That's right, this is the C.T. Hayden House, or La Casa Vieja, and it's been standing since…
Imagine having tea where a Supreme Court Justice once lived! This is the Sandra Day O'Connor House, moved here from its original location in Paradise Valley. Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S.…
Pull over for a moment and imagine the stories buried beneath your feet. This is Double Butte Cemetery, the final resting place for many of Tempe's earliest pioneers. Founded in 1888, the cemetery sits at the base of…
Arizona's first governor is buried in a white pyramid in the middle of Papago Park. George W. P. Hunt, a seven-time governor of Arizona, built this tomb in 1931 for his wife, Helen. He joined her there after his death…
Pull over for a minute! This little red schoolhouse isn't just cute, it's a window into Scottsdale's past. Back in 1909, Scottsdale needed a bigger school than the old one-room building. So, they built this red brick…
Scottsdale, Arizona, a place where the desert wind whispers tales of reinvention. Its story begins with Winfield Scott, whose name now graces the city, arriving in 1888 and setting in motion a transformation from arid…
Imagine a thriving desert community centuries before Phoenix even existed, right here where you're driving! This is S'edav Va'aki, a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Hohokam people. The Hohokam inhabited this…