Queen Creek Homes For Sale & Queen Creek, Arizona Real Estate Information

Homes for sale and real estate information in Queen Creek, Arizona

The Town of Queen Creek's name originated over a hundred miles away.

Up in the eastern mountains surrounding the Town of Superior, the land is rich with supplies of ore. One of the many mines that opened up in those mountains was the Silver Queen.

At the base of the Silver Queen mine there was a creek known as the Picket Post Creek.
It was named after the oddly shaped mountain above it. When the Silver Queen Mine opened for production, the name of the Picket Post Creek was changed to Queen Creek. That creek runs down from the mountains, past the mine, through the Queen Creek Canyon, into the area surrounding the present day Town of Queen Creek.
Before the scattered farm community was called Queen Creek, it had a different name. The area was known as Rittenhouse because of the railroad spur located near Rittenhouse and Ellsworth roads. People used to flag down the train to get a ride into Phoenix. As the community grew, and the use of the railroad stop diminished, the community changed its name and took on the name Queen Creek.

Today, the Town's General Plan calls for the preservation of the Queen Creek Wash and the Sanokai Wash as public trails and open space. These washes are usually dry and home to many kinds of birds and wildlife.

The Town of Queen Creek's heritage reflects its historical ties to the land. Agriculture and the bounty of the land continue to support the foundation upon which Queen Creek plans and builds its future.

The fertile valley below the SanTan Mountains offered a safe haven for the early Indian communities and the homesteaders who farmed and ranched along Queen Creek Wash. Citrus, cotton, pecans, vegetables, and other crops still provide for area families, and the wash is a key element in the Town's plan for future recreational trails and open space.

By the time Arizona became a state in 1912, a true community had been formed in Queen Creek. Residents established traditions of neighborliness and rural fun. Some remember street dances, dips in local swimming holes, and sleeping under the stars during the summer. The general store, church, and post office served as community gathering places, a practice still alive today. Many of the Town's founding families still choose Queen Creek as their home. Their names- Ellsworth, Power, Sossaman, Hawes, Combs, and Schnepf- on area roads help keep Queen Creek's heritage alive.

Town dances, picnics, and celebrations remain popular. The Town's 4th of July celebration evokes fond memories for many residents. In 1946, local farmers Raymond and Thora Schnepf invited family and friends to celebrate the holiday with swimming, barbecue, and fireworks at their home. Raymond flew to Texas to purchase the fireworks, which were unavailable in Arizona. The event was later taken over by other community groups.

Longtime residents also remember the switch at Rittenhouse and Ellsworth roads where they could flag down a train, called a dinky, which consisted of a engine and coach. After paying their fare, they could hop aboard for a ride into Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, or Tucson. Nearby, the Ellsworth family built housing for farm workers and a general store where workers used their script pay to shop for goods.

In the 1920's, Queen Creek experienced an influx of of immigrants who had moved from Mexico to work as miners in southern Arizona. They picked the local cotton crop by hand until the cotton gin came to Queen Creek during the 1920's. In the 1940's, former German prisoners of war from the P.O.W camp in Queen Creek and Philippine immigrants joined farm laborers in local fields.

Today Queen Creek is preparing for new additions to its rich cultural diversity. The rapid expansion experienced by nearby cities in the 1980s continues today. The Town of approximately 4,500 citizens faces inevitable growth. It incorporated in 1989 to preserve the benefits of rural life while providing an avenue for managed change. Residents seek to preserve the Town's friendly, small town spirit while providing economic and recreational opportunities and a high quality of life.

Queen Creek is one of the best-kept secrets in Arizona. Exceptional climate, natural recreational riches and relaxed, rural lifestyle combine to fulfill the dreams and visions of those who relocate to one of America's best small towns.

Queen Creek's nearly 15,000 residents enjoy the benefits of small-town living close to a metropolitan area: low crime rates, easy commuting to and from metro-Phoenix, excellent air quality, and a variety of recreational activities, all elements of a low-stress lifestyle.

Queen Creek is a family place, where the residents take pride in independence. It's a "first name" community, where a person behind the counter isn't an uncaring stranger, but someone who will know you by name.

The official Town of Queen Creek website can be found http://www.queencreek.org
The site is designed to provide important information for the growing community of Queen Creek. Information about the Town of Queen Creek including government services, recreation, maps, economic information, community calendars, and relocation info can be found on the site.

Queen Creek, Arizona is a well-run town with a friendly atmosphere, unique history, and that small town feeling within a growing valley. The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce formed in 2002 to promote, develop and retain area businesses that will enhance economic development and further the goals of the community follows that philosophy. The Queen Creek Chamber has over one hundred and twenty business members and growing fast. The Chamber plays an ever increasing role in the development of our community. You can visit the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce website at http://queencreekchamber.org