Written by Gloria Ruiz

The Town of Winkelman is at an elevation of 2,034 and is located in the southern end of Gila County, at the confluence of the San Pedro and Gila Rivers.  The history of Winkelman dates back to 1877 and 1878 when a large number of farmers migrated to the region.  With the coming of the railroad, a post office was established in 1903 near the ranch of Peter Winkelman.  Winkelman was incorporated in 1914.  However, a few years later the Town dis-incorporated and reincorporated on June 6, 1949.

Much like other cities and towns in the corridor, most of Winkelman’s economic activity is still based on copper.  The community serves primarily as a service center and residential area for families of employees associated with the mining and processing activities.  The principal employer within the Town is the Hayden-Winkelman Unified School District.

Winkelman Luten Arch Bridge

Arizona State Route Highways 77 and 177 provide excellent access to different parts of the state.  Both highways route through Winkelman.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe has approved a second gaming site near the Aravaipa area of Arizona.  The location is approximately seven miles southeast of Winkelman.  This project will bring much needed economic benefits to the tribe and surrounding communities, including Winkelman, by providing 400 plus permanent jobs and millions of dollars of new revenue to the region.

Ore Cart at Roadside Park
Photo Courtesy of Town of Winkelman

The scenery around Winkelman is some of the most spectacular in the state and is part of the Old West Highway route.  The mountain ranges provide the backdrop for the meandering Gila River and such landmarks as Saddleback and Mescal Mountain ranges.

At the gateway to Winkelman stands a roadside park featuring a 115 foot-long adobe wall.  You can walk around, through or meet within it.  The Wall tells the history of the Town by using bits of ranching and mining implements, as well as local geological samples.  The Winkelman Historic Bridge was constructed in 1916 and is one of only two left in the country and is in the National Historic Registry.

Giorsetti Superior Grocery Store

Winkelman is also home to the Giorsetti Superior Grocery Store.  The Giorsetti family has always operated this store since 1911.  While shopping, you can see the old architecture style and meet the two generations of the family members who work there on a daily basis.

An added attraction to Winkelman is the Winkelman Flats Public Park, located adjacent to the Gila River. This park provides RV camping with all utility hook-ups, flushable restrooms with hot and cold showers, dry camping areas, swimming, tubing, canoeing and fishing.  This park has a playground area for children, a softball field and a rodeo arena.  A basketball court, designed by the Phoenix Suns, was obtained through grant funding.

Ribbon Cutting at Roadside Park
Photo Courtesy of Town of Winkelman

Winkelman is a beautiful area to visit if you want to retreat from the city.  You can meet many friendly residents and enjoy the infinite number of starts at night.

Gila River Valley from Luten Arch Bridge

The Town of Hayden is a copper mining town located in southeast Gila and Pinal Counties. Originally founded as a company town, it was shaped by patterns of immigration over many generations.  It is rich in history, and the heritage bond of the community is solid.  Hayden celebrated its centennial in 2009. The local Catholic Church celebrated its centennial in 2013.  ASARCO Copper Mine also celebrated 100 years of operation in the community. The ASARCO mine employs workers from all over the state, and this mine contributes millions of dollars to Arizona’s economy.  The ASARCO mine is one of the last two operating smelters in the United States.

Welcome to Hayden

Hayden Police Department

The Town of Hayden is a warm and welcoming community that attracts individuals to partake in recreational activities. The weather in Hayden is beautiful most of the year, which is ideal for golfing on our nine-hole golf course.  The tree-lined golf course sits off the banks of the Gila River. Around the golf course, you can picnic at one of the ramadas, camp at the RV park, or in the summer, enjoy little league games.

Hayden Golf Course
Photo Courtesy of Gloria Muñoz

The Town of Hayden takes great pride in having a full operating senior center. Our senior center provides meals for the elderly in all our local neighboring communities and activities and social events Monday through Friday.  The senior center is also staffed with vehicles to assist in transporting participants from the outlying communities to our location.  The Town of Hayden provides support in continuing the Meals on Wheels program throughout the Copper Corridor.  The town council understands the need to plan for the future and approved a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant to improve the town’s infrastructure.

Hayden Senior Center

The Town of Hayden is resilient. Its residents continue to practice their heritage and cultural traditions, making it a true Arizona community working to stabilize itself, improve its housing stock and commercial buildings and strive for economic growth and community development.

Downtown Globe

Nestled at the foothills of the Pinal Mountains, the City of Globe has carved out a proud history in Arizona. A powerhouse in the territorial days, Globe was instrumental in Arizona history, sending George W. P. Hunt to serve as the first governor and for several subsequent terms. We also are proud to claim our own Rose Mofford, Arizona’s first woman governor, as one of Globe’s own. Gov. Mofford graduated from Globe High School and on her retirement from public service, she donated her collection of wonderful memorabilia collected over any years to the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts and the Bullion Plaza Museum and Cultural Center.

Globe Historic District

Unlike many small cities and towns that grabbed at the chance to tear down the old and go for the newest in architecture, Globe opted instead to preserve its history, especially in the downtown area which boasts several blocks of gorgeous territorial-era buildings. The Gila County Courthouse was rescued from certain dilapidation by a fine arts guild that has renovated the building back to its stately beginnings. The old jail is a delight to anyone who remembers the Saturday morning westerns. And our oldest building of all is Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park which is rebuilt on an 800-year-old Salado Indian village.

Historic Gila County Courthouse

Globe is at the epicenter of outdoor activities. From hiking and biking in the Pinal Mountains, to walking parks within town, to wonderful downtown streets to stroll, it’s easy to tell we appreciate being in the middle of Arizona’s most beautiful heartland.

Besh Ba Gowah Park
Photo Courtesy of Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce

History resonates in Globe. Ranching, mining and early politics shaped this city that still serves as the county seat. Where once Globe drew miners from around the world, now it attracts visitors who come to enjoy the friendly small town atmosphere, delightful shops and restaurants, and outdoor activities. Copper is still most prized here in Globe, but we’ve found tourism offers new and exciting riches.

Written by Ellen Kretsch

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) of Arizona awarded the City of Tempe the 2015 Community Action Award on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the 11^th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, is recognizing Tempe for advancing city-wide equality through a city ordinance, a Charter change through a local ballot initiative, and updating policies to be named one of 38 national “All Stars” on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. Tempe earned a perfect score of 100 in the 2014 Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual Municipal Equality Index, a gauge of how cities are doing on LGBT equality issues.

“The City of Tempe is honored to receive this recognition,” said Mayor Mark Mitchell. “We have long been an inclusive community and we will continue to work with our community partners to ensure that Tempe is always at the forefront of creating opportunities and taking down barriers.”

Tempe has a history of valuing diversity and taking action to prevent discrimination.

In 1999, the city was one of the first in Arizona to begin providing domestic partner benefits. In February 2014, the City Council unanimously approved an anti-discrimination ordinance that secured broad protections for all community members. In August, Tempe voters resoundingly approved an amendment to the city Charter (more than 68 percent approval) to prohibit discrimination or favor for city positions on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, political affiliation and United States military veteran status, except as such favor may be authorized by law. Protections apply to employment at the city and at businesses in Tempe, as well as to contracts, housing, public places and appointments to city Boards and Commissions.

The Human Rights Campaign of Arizona will also recognize Aiken Schenk Law Firm and Lambda Legal as the Corporate Equality Award recipients, and Bobbi Lancaster as the Individual Equality Award recipient. For more information, visit www.hrcazdinner.org.

Have you resolved to take pride in your community this year?

Arizona’s cities and towns work 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide services to their citizens. Take pride in all your city does – from maintaining parks, to delivering opportunities at your local library and keeping the streets clean and safe.

A couple of Arizona’s towns are starting off the New Year with celebrations to help enhance your sense of municipal pride!

The Town of Queen Creek has been celebrating their 25th Anniversary all year and will culminate the year-long festivities with a time capsule burying early in 2015.

The 25th anniversary capsule will be buried at Queen Creek’s Founders’ Park at 9 a.m. on Jan. 6. The time capsule contains items that symbolize life in Queen Creek in 2014, including letters and mementos showing what makes Queen Creek special. It is scheduled to be opened by the residents of Queen Creek in 2064, during the Town’s 75th year of incorporation.

The Town of Gilbert started their #GrowingUpGilbert campaign in 2014. This campaign features individuals who were born and raised in the town of Gilbert and grew up to give back to their community. Check out some of the Gilbertonians who have been featured thus far.

If you grew up in Gilbert, AZ and have a story of your own, share it! You can e-mail your story to gilbert.digital@gilbertaz.gov or share it on social media using #GrowingUpGilbert.

How will you resolve to take pride in your community in 2015? Let us know what your resolutions are and how you plan to achieve them this year!

It’s time to ring in 2015! As we bid farewell to an amazing 2014 year, we’re looking ahead to 2015 with possibility on our minds.

Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? If not, we’ve got 10 resolutions right here for you. From getting outdoors to learning something new, Arizona’s cities and towns have a variety of opportunities to help you experience the possibilities in this New Year.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” This year, our plan is to stick to our resolutions. Join us! Each day we’ll feature a new way to accomplish – and stick with – those resolutions this year.

2015 New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Get Outdoors

2. Learn Something New

3. Get Involved

4. Stay Fit

5. Have a New Experience

6. Celebrate our Great State

7. Build a Better Hobby

8. Save the Environment

9. Spend Time With Loved Ones

10. Take Pride in Your Community