Why We Live Here
Locally known as the Sports and Entertainment District – Glendale, Arizona, is home to your favorite sports teams. Gila River Arena, home of the NHL Arizona Coyotes, Camelback Ranch-Glendale, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox Spring Training teams and State Farm Stadium, home to the NFL Arizona Cardinals. The City of Glendale has hosted two previous Super Bowls in 2008 and 2015 along with the annual Fiesta Bowl. Glendale will be home to the upcoming Super Bowl LVII in 2023 and the Final Four in 2024. With over 40 restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops, Westgate is a premier destination for dining, nightlife, shopping, sporting events, festivals, and celebrations of all kinds. Glendale is a playground for the outdoor and athletic enthusiast. The city offers approximately 40 miles of hiking trails open from sunrise to sunset. Trails are expansive and not very demanding. And with close proximity to downtown Phoenix, Glendale has it all.
For more information, click here. For the city’s stats on housing, schools, the job market, and much more, click here.
- Incorporated 1910
- Area 61.6 sq. mi.
- Elevation 1,152’
- County Maricopa
- Website https://www.glendaleaz.com
- Population 257,233 (2021 est.)
- Population Density 4,176.4 per sq. mi.
- Median Age 34.2
- Families with Kids Under 18 39.9%
- Average Household Income $52,314
- Overall Cost of Living 103.7
History
In the late 1800s what is now known as Glendale, Arizona, was all desert. William John Murphy, a native of New Hartford, New York, who resided in the town of Flagstaff in what was then known as the territory of Arizona, was in charge of building a 40-mile-long (64 km) Arizona Canal from Granite Reef to New River for the Arizona Canal Company. In 1885, he completed the canal, which would bring water to the desert land.
In 1887, Murphy formed the Arizona Improvement Company. His objective was to sell the land and water rights south of the canal. Murphy raised capital from out of state sources in order to meet payroll and construction expenses. Murphy decided to refer to this land as “Glendale”.
In 1891, Burgess Hadsell worked with Murphy to bring 70 Brethren and River Brethren families to Glendale to form a temperance colony. Soon, settlers, attracted by the town’s ban on alcoholic beverages, continued to arrive. In 1895, Murphy platted the original town site and amended the plat to include a town park and some business lots. The construction of a railroad from Prescott to Phoenix was made possible with an exchange of the right-of-way made by Murphy along Grand Avenue. The railroad allowed Glendale settlers to transport goods to the north and easily receive building materials.
Interesting Facts
Glendale is Arizona’s Antique Capital with many antique stores, boutiques, specialty shops, and cafes in the historic downtown area. The tree-lined quaint area is walkable with charming bungalows surrounding a park and library.
Major Attractions and Events
(See https://visitglendale.com.)
- Adobe Mountain State Park
- Animal Wildlife Zoo
- Annual Folk & Heritage Festival
- Gila River Arena
- Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival
- Glendale Summer Band Concerts
- Sahuaro Ranch Park
- Spring Training at Camelback Ranch
- State Farm Stadium
- Westgate Entertainment District
Popular Restaurants
- Ajo Al’s
- Arrowhead Grill
- A Touch of European Café
- Cuff Kitchen
- La Piazza al Forno
- Oregano’s
- Popos Fiesta Del Sol
- The Spicery