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History
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The Arizona Eastern Railway wanted to
establish a rail line between Phoenix and Florence. The railroad
began asking for donations of right away to create the line.
William M. Gilbert was an early homesteader, who came to the
area in 1904. He offered his land for the railway. A rail siding
was established on his property.
A rail siding is an additional section of rail line attached to
the rail line. The rail siding allows trains to be pulled off
the track for maintenance or to load the cars without blocking
the track. This rail siding proved to be beneficial for Gilbert.
He did not have to travel far to sell his crops. Soon, a town
developed and was eventually named after William Gilbert.
Gilbert grew due in most part to the creation of the Roosevelt
Dam. The dam helped regulate the water for farming. In 1911, the
development of the Eastern and Consolidated Canals also boosted
Gilbert's growth. Gilbert was known for its' farming and
acquired the nickname the "Hay Capital of the World". The town
was incorporated in 1920. At that time, there were 500 people
farming the land.
Gilbert has a progressive town government. The Town Council made
sure in the early 1970's that there would be room for growth.
The council approved an annexation strip of 53 square miles.
This proved to be a good decision because in the 1980's Gilbert
began growing again. During this time, the town quintupled in
population.
Today, you will find a family oriented town. Gilbert encourages
new businesses and has the land for development. Many of the
houses sit on mini-ranch sections. Cotton, grains, alfalfa,
vegetables, citrus and livestock play an important role in the
town. Gilbert has not lost its ranching and farming roots.
Once known for being the "Hay Capital of the World", the town
had a simple start. The town's namesake, William M. Gilbert
donated his land to create a railway into the area. This land
donation proved to be both beneficial to Mr. Gilbert and to the
town that eventually grew up around the rail.
Today, Gilbert is a special town. It is a town that is working
hard to preserve it small town charm, while promoting the many
high tech companies that have come to the area. The town's
motto, "Community of Excellence", reveals the Gilbert of today.
It is a town planning for its progressive future. |
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