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Apache Junction is dominated by the 3000 foot cliffs of the Superstition Mountains. According to legend, the Lost Dutchman mine lies therein. Many have searched but none have found the Lost Dutchman gold mine. Marking the West end of Pinal county, the town has a population of 41,104 (2003). The population increases dramatically in the winter as the town welcomes guests from colder climates. The economy centers around tourism and the needs of winter visitors. These winter visitors number 35,000 and, from mid-October to mid-April, increase the population of the town to over 75,000 residents!
History According to legend, in 1840 the Peralta family developed a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains, which lie on the east edge of town. This mine was rediscovered by Jacob Waltz, also known as "The Dutchman." He claimed the mine was so rich the gold could be cut away with a knife. In 1891, the Dutchman died without revealing the mine's exact location. The legend of the mine continues to this day, with many searching but failing to find the "Lost Dutchman" gold mine. Apache Junction received its name from the Apache Trail, which was created in 1905 as a route from Phoenix to Globe, created to service the Roosevelt Dam. "The Trail", as locals call it, helped transport needed supplies and paralleled the Apache Indian's ancient path through the canyons. The Apache Trail can still be followed today -- follow Main Street in Mesa to Apache Trail towards the center of town. Bear left onto Route SR88 and hold onto your hat for the next 24 miles as much of "the trail" remains unpaved as it winds its way past Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flats, Apache Lake and, finally, Roosevelt Lake and Dam. In the 1950's, retirees arrived in Apache Junction and began living in RV parks and small houses. Eventually, enough residents had arrived to form a small town. The town incorporated in 1978. It has long been a favorite destination of winter visitors due to its mild weather and proximity to tourist areas.
Climate Apache Junction is at an altitude of 2000 feet, approximately 600 feet higher than Phoenix. It receives 13.2 inches of rainfall annually. Average snowfall is 0. Average precipitation days is 36, pretty much the same as Phoenix. An average year receives 300 days of sunshine.
Town overview Apache Junction is part of the fastest growing county in Arizona. Pinal county's population increased 13.6% between 2000 and 2003. According to Apache Junction's office of economic development, an average of 34.5 families move to Apache Junction each week. Apache Junction is a rural bedroom community. It is located a half hour away from downtown Phoenix. It is right next door to some of the most rugged and beautiful wilderness in the country. With these sometimes conflicting attributes, it's not difficult to understand why the town caters to a diverse population of winter visitors, tourists and year-round families.
Business development in the town is concentrated along Apache Trail Boulevard, which runs east-and-west and bisects the town. The stores range from a large box retail store on the west side of town, near Mesa, to small mom-and-pop grocery and hardware stores toward the center of town. Many businesses cater to the RV crowd. As you get near the east end of the town, you see a rather abrupt shift to rural acreage. Less roads are paved, building lots are acre+ and you see more undeveloped desert. Finally, at the very east end of town, the land is unincorporated county and there are large properties that lie directly in the shadows of the 3000-foot cliffs of the Superstition Mountains. On the southern end of the Superstitions lies Gold Canyon, approximately five miles south and east of Apache Junction. Return to Home -- About Me -- Subdivision Stats -- Buyer Seller Advice -- Free Reports -- Your Homes Value -- Dream Home Finder -- Apply Online -- Interest Rates -- School Information -- Consumer Links -- Favorite Links -- Real Estate News -- Useful Tools -- Contact Me Pages: Mesa -- East Mesa -- Apache Junction -- Gold Canyon -- Maricopa County -- Pinal County -- Sonoran Desert -- Boulder Mountain -- Sierra Estates -- Adobe Estates -- Falcon Ridge -- Sierra Heig |
