Katana VentraIP

Gilbert, Arizona

Gilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, located southeast of Phoenix within the city's metropolitan area. Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was once known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World".[6] The population was 267,918 at the 2020 census,[3] and was estimated to be 275,346 in 2022.[4] It is the fifth-largest municipality in Arizona, and the fourth-largest in the Phoenix metro area. It covers an area of nearly 69 square miles (179 km2).

Gilbert, Arizona

United States

1891

July 6, 1920

Robert Gilbert

68.86 sq mi (178.35 km2)

68.66 sq mi (177.84 km2)

0.20 sq mi (0.53 km2)

1,237 ft (377 m)

267,918

275,346

US: 80th
AZ: 5th

4,010/sq mi (1,549/km2)

85233, 85234, 85295, 85296, 85297, 85298, 85299

04-27400

0005032[2]

Gilbert has made a rapid transformation from an agriculture-based community to an economically diverse suburban center located in the southeastern valley of the Greater Phoenix area. It has grown at an extremely high rate over the last three decades, increasing in population from 5,717 in 1980 to 267,918 as of the 2020 census. The town grew at an average annual rate of over 10% during this 40-year period. It is the largest incorporated town in the United States.[3]

History[edit]

Gilbert was established by William "Bobby" Gilbert, who provided land to the Arizona Eastern Railway in 1902 to construct a rail line between Phoenix and Florence, Arizona. Ayer's Grocery Store, the first store in Gilbert, opened in 1910 and became the location of the first post office in 1912. The location of the town post office moved several times before settling on the east side of Gilbert Road in downtown, where it still stands today. In 1912, many Mormons who had fled the Mormon colonies in Mexico due to the actions of the forces of Pancho Villa settled in Gilbert. By 1915, they began holding church meetings at the Gilbert Elementary School. In 1918, they were organized into the Gilbert Ward.[7]


Incorporated on July 6, 1920, Gilbert was primarily a farming community fueled by the rail line and construction of the Roosevelt Dam and the Eastern and Consolidated Canals. It remained an agricultural town for many years and was known as the "Hay Capital of the World"[8] from 1911 until the late 1920s.


In 2019, the town ranked highly on three national surveys, related to safety, livability and family life; it was named the fourth-safest (of 182 communities), twelfth-most livable town, and seventh-best place to raise a family in the United States.[9]

Between 2000 and 2010, the town of Gilbert was the fastest-growing incorporated place among populations of 100,000 or more in the United States, with an increase of 90%.

[15]

Fastest growing municipality in the United States from 1990 to 2003 ()

U.S. Census Bureau

4th fastest growing municipality in the United States ()

U.S. Census Bureau – 2009

Ranked by CNN's Money magazine in 2008 as one of the best places to live in the United States

One of the top 25 safest cities in the United States

[16]

34.5% of Gilbert residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

[17]

Highest household median income in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area with population 50,000+ (U.S. Census Bureau – 2005)

Arts and culture[edit]

9/11 Memorial[edit]

Gilbert is home to a 9/11 Memorial, located at Town Hall[23] that features an eight-foot steel girder beam[24] which held up the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Former Gilbert Fire Chief Collin DeWitt fund-raised extensively for three years to create the memorial, and to bring the beam from New York City to Arizona. He drove to collect it himself along with his then Assistant Fire Chief Jim Jobusch.[25]


The design of the memorial angles the beam, which puts it in reach of everyone. Four granite walls bear the names of those lost to the attacks. Concrete was poured in the shape of a pentagon for the foundation of the memorial,[26] and is surrounded by bricks which carry names of some of those who helped to donate to bring the memorial to life. There was an unveiling ceremony of the memorial on the 10th anniversary of the attack on September 11, 2011.[27]

Historic place[edit]

Gilbert Elementary School was built in 1913, and now houses the Gilbert Historical Museum. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[28]

Parks and recreation[edit]

Gilbert Regional Park and Desert Sky Park were established in 2019 with multi-million dollar investments.


The Freestone Recreation Center, north of Freestone Park, was opened in 2002. It has a rock wall, a gymnasium, a steam room and dry sauna, and exercise equipment.[9]

Education[edit]

Most of Gilbert is zoned to schools in the Gilbert Public Schools, while other portions are zoned to districts including the Chandler Unified School District, Mesa Public Schools, and the Higley Unified School District. Also in Gilbert are charter schools such as Eduprize (the first charter school in Arizona), American Leadership Academy, and Legacy Traditional School. The town is also home to Gilbert Christian Schools, a chain of private schools. In 2018, the Park University opened the Gilbert Campus Center after leasing 18,000-square-foot (1,700 m2) at the University Building in the city's Heritage District.[38]

Gilbert Elementary School was built in 1913. It is located at 10 S. Gilbert Rd. and now houses the Gilbert Historical Museum. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Gilbert High School was built in 1920. It now houses the Gilbert Public School District Office. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

The Gilbert Water Tower was built in 1925. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

Gilbert's First Jail House was built in 1918 and later used as a pump house. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

The Tone Building was built in 1929 and now houses Joe's Real BBQ Restaurant. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

Liberty Market was built in 1936. Liberty Market was established by the Ong family. The neon sign which is still on display was designed by Mae Ong, the wife of Ben Ong, who purchased the market in 1943. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

The Creed building was built in 1918. It now houses the Farmhouse Restaurant. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

The Attaway Phelps-Blakely Building was built in 1910. It now houses the Norwood Furniture store. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

The Bank of Gilbert was built in 1917. It now houses an insurance company. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

Clare's Metal Shop was built in 1918. It now houses Bergies Coffee. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

Clement's Garage was built in 1934. The structure is listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.

The American Legion Post 39 was built in 1934.

The following is a brief description of the historic structures which are pictured. Some of these structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places while others are listed as historical by the Gilbert Heritage District.[28][41]

professional poker player; World Champion of Poker in 1993; lives in Gilbert[42]

Jim Bechtel

pitcher for late 1990s Cleveland Indians; lives in Gilbert[43]

Dave Burba

current basketball player at Fresno State and internet personality; grew up in Gilbert and graduated from Gilbert High School[44]

Haley Cavinder

retired professional wrestler, WWE Hall Of Fame inductee

The Honky Tonk Man

professional linebacker; played for Highland High School[45]

Marquis Cooper

singer best known for The Lawrence Welk Show; lives in Gilbert

Ken Delo

former NFL quarterback; played for Highland High School[46][47]

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Miss Arizona USA 1980, Miss USA 1980[48]

Jineane Ford

professional soccer player; raised in Gilbert[49]

Alan Gordon

Hall of Fame martial artist; resident of Gilbert since 2006

Dan Hausel

All-Star professional baseball player and rescue farm owner[50]

Shea Hillenbrand

professional baseball player, 1985–1999; TV broadcaster; lives in Gilbert

Darrin Jackson

(born 1992), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League

Nick Johnson

Miss Arizona USA 2008; raised in and still lives in Gilbert[51]

Kimberly Joiner

ESPN TV personality and journalist; lived in Gilbert during teenage years; attended Mesquite High School[52]

Mina Kimes

five-time U.S. ice dance champion, 2002 Olympian

Naomi Lang

former professional football player; raised in Gilbert; played for Highland High School

Spencer Larsen

artist; lives in Gilbert; graduated from Gilbert High School in 2000

Justin Lassen

television personality on MTV's The Real World: New Orleans

Ryan Leslie

band[53]

Lydia

former Major League Baseball catcher; has lived in Gilbert since 2011[54]

Bengie Molina

bronze medalist at 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and in pommel horse at 2016 Summer Olympics; graduate from Highland High School

Alex Naddour

NASA astronaut; retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel; lives in Gilbert[55]

Carlos I. Noriega

MLB pitcher, 1960–1969; born in Gilbert in 1939[56]

Phil Ortega

NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy

gold medalist at 2014 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships; silver medalist on vault at the 2020 Summer Olympics

MyKayla Skinner

violinist, dancer, and performer; Mesquite High School graduate[57]

Lindsey Stirling

NFL player for Arizona Cardinals; lives in Gilbert

Eric Swann

drummer for band Lifehouse[58]

Rick Woolstenhulme

Official website