Arizona City Cleanup and Restoration

Arizona City is a census-designated and unincorporated place. In Southwestern Pinal County. Near the junction of Interstate 8 and Interstate 10, it marks the midpoint between Tucson and Phoenix, making it 60 miles from downtown of both cities.

Arizona City was founded in 1959 by Jack McRae, President of the Arizona City Development Corporation. He bought and developed 2.5 acres of land in the Santa Cruz Valley. Eventually, that would grow to become the modern-day townsite. An abundance of deep water from the Santa Cruz River was the deciding factor in developing here. The water was rated 100% pure by the State Health Department at that time.

After emerging from the Apache Land in 1775, the area around Arizona City today was used as a resting area for Juan Bautista de Anza’s Expedition. It is an official part of the National Historic Juan Bautista de Anza Trail, which commences in Sonora, Mexico and concludes at the Presidio in San Francisco, California.

Arizona City lies in the Santa Cruz Valley in the center of 3 mountain ranges; the Sawtooth Mountains to the South, Picacho Mountains to the East, and Casa Grande Mountain to the North.

On April 1st, 1962 a Contracted United States Post Office was Established, with free E-P.O. Boxes. By 1963, Arizona City began appearing on Rand McNally Road atlases.

The city sees hot and dry summers, brief, mild winters, as well as the Monsoon season. Many residents experience some level of water damage to their homes during the storm season.

Attractions: Arizona City Golf Club, built by Jack Snyder, opened in 1963. It features 4 sets of tees for different skill levels.

Paradise Lake is a 48 acre man-made lake in one of the neighborhoods.

Events: Arizona City Daze is a street festival that happens every February. It’s a fun-filled event featuring a car show, a parade, carnival rides, food and merchandise vendors, and live entertainment.

Corona Satellite Calibration Targets: From 1959 to 1972, the Corona Satellite Program used Corona Satellite Calibration Targets for espionage on the Soviet Union and China during the Cold War. 272 of these targets existed in and around Arizona City. Since that time, many have been removed but there is still one in the center of the community at the corner of Sunland Gin Road and Alsdorf Road.