There are a number of strangely named places in Arizona, such as Skull Valley (called after the many skulls that have been unearthed there) and Globe (named after a globe-shaped piece of pure silver that was found in the once-thriving mining town).
Towns like Tuba City, Why, Chloride, and Surprise demonstrate why early immigrants in Arizona gave their communities such fanciful names.
Despite their confusing names, the majority of these names have unique histories that shed light on Arizona’s past.
Continue reading to find out more about these unusually named cities that are teeming with adventure and discovery.
Chloride
Similar to Globe’s relationship with silver, the name Chloride is derived from the silver chloride and other minerals that are found in the hills.
In the 1860s, miners found zinc, copper, lead, turquoise, and the first silver. Over 2,000 people lived in Chloride at its height, and there were more than 70 operating mines.
Restaurants, barbershops, saloons, a bank, a pool hall, and hotels were among the businesses that prospered. Chloride is currently Arizona’s oldest mining town still in continuous habitation.
Even though Chloride is not as crowded as it once was, there is still a lot to do there.
The yearly Old Miner’s Day celebration, which pays tribute to the town’s mining heritage, is one of its main occasions. Sports like basketball and volleyball, as well as picnics and barbecues, are perfect at the nearby Chloride Community Park.
The Mine Shaft Market, a general store founded in 1862 that sells groceries, trinkets, and community information, is a mainstay of the area.
Skull Valley
About 20 miles west of Prescott lies a little town in Yavapai County called Skull Valley. Many people wonder where Skull Valley got its name, and there are several different theories.
In his book “Arizona Place Names,” Will C. Barnes claims that Skull Valley got its name from the numerous skulls that were found there after an Indian tribe’s war.
According to a different story, the skulls belonged to white men who were murdered by hostile Indians.
Another confrontation between explorers and villagers in the 1860s is said to have killed dozens of Indians, who were supposedly left unburied where they fell.
People continue to visit and reside there despite its strange name and past. An famous general shop was opened in 1916 was located in Skull Valley.
Up until 1983, it served as the town’s post office and was the preferred location for shopping for anything from fresh meat to groceries. Locals started congregating at the store to play games like poker and pool.
Why
Originally located at a Y-shaped intersection of state Routes 85 and 86, Why is a small community located close to the western side of the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation.
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Since town names had to be at least three letters long, state law prohibited the use of “Y” when state officials were forced to come up with an official name for the town as it expanded. The settlement was consequently given the name Why.
There isn’t much to do in Why because it’s primarily a stopover for visitors going to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico, for a beach vacation, or to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Ajo for hiking or camping.
Numerous breakfast and lunch alternatives are available in the region, including the quaint small-town restaurant Granny’s Kitchen. Another well-liked location is the Why Not Travel Store, which serves as a one-stop store for food, beverages, and gas.
Globe
Globe, one of the oldest mining towns in Arizona and the Southwest, is only 90 minutes east of Phoenix.
It was officially founded in 1876 and is credited with getting its name from a piece of pure silver in the shape of a globe that was discovered nearby.
About 700 people lived there at the time, the most of whom were employed in mining. The region was dominated by mining, including the Old Dominion Mine.
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Since then, Globe has been well-known for its mining legacy and tourism sector.
The globe has a lot of historical sites and outdoor attractions that draw tourists. The four-story Gila County Courthouse, which was built in 1906, is one of the notable structures.
The building is now home to the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, which serves the local music, theater, and art community.
The Old Dominion Historic Mine Park, a well-liked location for hiking and learning about mining history, is also open to visitors.
Surprise
It should come as no surprise that the town of Surprise is on the list. The town’s founder, Flora Mae Statler, gave it a moniker that gives its history a humorous twist.
Surprise was developed in 1938 by Statler, the daughter of Charles Gillett, a pioneer in Arizona who also contributed to the development of Glendale.
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In the past, Surprise officials thought the company was founded by Homer C. Ludden, Statler’s wife.
But according to property records, Statler bought the site before he met Ludden. She gave it the name Surprise because, according to the archives, she “would be surprised if the town ever amounted to much.”
Surprise is a community with a wide range of amenities nowadays. It draws sports fans because it is the location of the Texas Rangers’ and Kansas City Royals’ spring training.
It also serves as a center for the arts and culture, holding workshops, art exhibits, and events.
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