St. Johns Arizona

St. Johns is in Eastern Arizona . It is in Apache County and is the county seat. The town is on a high desert plateau and is located where U.S. Highway 191 and State Highway 61 meet. It is 18 miles west of the New Mexico border.

Overview:
St. Johns has a central location in the White Mountain area near many outdoor activities. It is also been called the “Equestrian Capital of the White Mountains” because of its premier center for many local and regional events. Today St Johns’s population is 3,300. The town sits at an elevation of 5,730 feet. The climate is cool all year round with a winter low temperature of 17 degrees and a summer high temperature of 90 degrees. St. Johns is a small town that enjoys its rich history and is known for its friendly neighbors.

Community Features:
There are many attractions found in and around St. Johns. Apache County Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the area’s colorful history. The museum has a pioneer cabin and an old jail cell. One of the highlights is a set of 24,000-year-old mammoth tusks, which were found nearby. The St. Johns Equestrian Center is a one of the most popular equestrian centers in the southwest. Its location near New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada make it the prefect place for riders and horses. p> The center hosts many events in both western and English riding styles. St. Johns City Park covers six acres of rolling hills. There is a heated pool, tennis courts, racquetball, volleyball and horseshoe pits. The Concho Valley Country Club is a great place for golfers to take in 18 holes. The club is only minutes west of town, on State Highway 61.

St. Johns is surrounded by beautiful scenery, which makes it an ideal place for outdoor activities. Lyman Lake State Park is only 10 miles south of town on U.S. Highway 191. It is one of the few lakes in the area that does not have boat size restrictions. p> Visitors can boat, water ski, fish and camp. There are full service hook-ups and campsites with showers and restrooms. The park has a unique sight. A herd of buffalo roams the 100 acres of land. You might get a chance to spot them at the feeding area near the entrance to the park. Concho Lake is just west of St. Johns near the town of Concho. The lake offers picnicking, camping, boating and fishing. The Blue Hills are interesting formations or layers of desert clay. The clay is colored blue, red and white. Agate beds and dinosaur teeth have been found in this area. The hills are approximately three miles north of town.

Events:

Summerfest Classy Chassis Car Show May
San Juan Day June
Old Fashion 4th of July July
Pioneer Days
Apache County Fair September
Gingerbread Christmas December

History:

The area was originally called El Vadito meaning “little crossing”, due to the Little Colorado River that passes through. It was named after Spanish explorers passing by. p> Then in 1873, Solomon Barth stopped at El Vadito. He won several thousand head of sheep and a few thousand dollars from some Mexicans in a card game. Barth used his winnings to establish a business. He used ox-trained drivers to supply hay and grain to Fort Apache. This gave a boost to the settlement. p> There are two stories about how the name San Juan came into existence. The first came from the holiday San Juan’s Day, which celebrates the start of the rainy season. The second originated from the first woman resident named Senora Maria San Juan de Padilla de Baca.

During the same time the Hispanic settlement was being built, the Mormon pioneers decided to settle nearby. p> The Mormon’s were a bit north of the Hispanic community. However, flooding caused the Mormons to move. They ended up across from the Hispanic settlement. In 1880, when the town was officially established the name was changed again, this time to St. Johns. St. Johns was incorporated in 1946.

A very famous Arizonan family started its roots in St. Johns. Both Morris and Stewart Udall were born and raised in St. Johns. Steward was elected to Congress and later President Kennedy appointed him Secretary of the Interior. He was the first Arizonan to hold a cabinet post. Morris followed his brother’s footsteps by holding an office in Congress. Today St. Johns is the county seat of Apache County. It is also known for its premier Equestrian Center of the White Mountains, where a variety of horse competitions take place.