Celebrating Gila County — Deeply Arizona at Heart

Celebrating Gila County’s 144th Anniversary

This month, Gila County in Arizona reached a milestone, celebrating its 144th birthday, as noted by the Arizona County Association. Established on February 8, 1881, the county was created from portions of Maricopa and Pinal counties, later incorporating land from Yavapai County.

Following its formation, George Danforth, J.K. Smith, and Joseph Chamberlain took on the roles of the unofficial Gila County Board of Supervisors. They convened their first meeting on March 5, 1881. Not long after, on April 4, 1881, the first official county election was held.

The results were tallied just two days later, confirming Danforth, Smith, and Westmeyer as the newly elected supervisors after a closely contested race that saw them win by a narrow margin of 91 votes.

District 2 Superintendent, Tim Humphrey, remarked on the county’s historical reliance on mining and ranching, stating, “these industries have supported Gila County since the 1800s.” It all began in 1874 with the discovery of mineral deposits, particularly copper, which continued to attract miners for years.

Today, copper, silver, and gold are still mined in the region. While mining and ranching originally defined the county’s economy, sectors like education, healthcare, and tourism have taken a more prominent role. Still, about 30 ranches manage roughly 15,000 cattle, and mining continues to employ around 3,000 people.

Steve Christensen, District 1 Supervisor, shared his pride in the county’s residents, saying, “I feel fortunate to live here. I’m impressed by our community and its growth. I look forward to more birthdays in Gila County.” Covering 17 communities, the county is home to significant Apache populations, including the Tonto Apache and sections of the Fort Apache and San Carlos reservations.

Many consider Gila County “the heart of Arizona.” With a population of 54,006 and an area of nearly 4,800 square miles, it attracts outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy the state’s diverse landscapes, ranging from deserts and mountains to lakes.

Woody Cline, District 3 Superintendent, expressed his pride as a lifelong resident, noting the county’s stunning views and rich history. Gila County features varied environments, from iconic saguaro cacti to lush mountainous forests. It also boasts popular destinations like Lake Roosevelt, the longest single-span steel arch bridge in North America, which draws many for fishing and boating.

In addition to Tonto National Monument and the Salt River Wilderness Area, Gila County is home to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park—reported to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, standing 183 feet tall.

County Manager James Menlove encapsulated the sentiment surrounding Gila County’s anniversary: “With less than 4% of private land, we are thankful for our open spaces, mountains, valleys, and lakes. Lake Roosevelt, the largest water body in the state, inspires and uplifts our community.”