7 Things You Didn't Know About Chandler's History

Chandler might seem like a modern suburb, but it's got over 100 years of fascinating history. From ostrich farms to Hollywood glamour, here are seven surprising facts about how this Arizona city came to be.

1. Founded by Arizona's First Veterinarian

Dr. Alexander John Chandler wasn't just any settler - he was the first veterinary surgeon in Arizona Territory. He arrived in 1891 and eventually purchased 18,000 acres of land. When he founded the town in 1912 (the same year Arizona became a state), he designed it with ambitious features like a landscaped central park and covered walkways - pretty visionary for a desert community.

2. Started With Just Three Wooden Shacks

When the townsite office opened on May 16, 1912, downtown Chandler consisted of exactly three buildings: a townsite office, a dining hall, and the Morrison Grocery. That was it. The town incorporated in 1920 with just 186 residents and didn't become a city until May 24, 1954.

3. The Ostrich Connection

Dr. Chandler brought ostriches to the area, and Chandler became famous for ostrich feathers used in women's fashion. The annual Ostrich Festival each March celebrates this heritage with actual ostrich races and family activities. Today the festival draws thousands to Tumbleweed Park.

4. Al Capone and Clark Gable Stayed Here

The Hotel San Marcos, which opened in 1913, was Arizona's first resort hotel and featured the state's first grass golf course. Famous guests included Al Capone, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Herbert Hoover, and Jimmy Stewart. The hotel was named after Friar Marcos de Niza, believed to be the first European in the valley.

5. Frank Lloyd Wright Almost Built Here

Frank Lloyd Wright and Dr. Chandler were friends, and Wright drew up plans for a second resort called "San Marcos in the Desert" in 1930. The Great Depression killed the project, but Wright's connection to Chandler remains a fascinating "what if" for architecture buffs.

6. The Tumbleweed Christmas Tree

Since the 1950s, Chandler has built a unique holiday tree made from 1,500-2,000 tumbleweeds, 1,200 lights, 65 pounds of glitter, and 25 pounds of paint. It's become a beloved local tradition and draws visitors from across the state.

7. Explosive Growth

Chandler has exploded from 9,531 people in 1960 to over 275,000 today - making it Arizona's 4th largest city. The transformation from agricultural town to "High-Tech Oasis of the Silicon Desert" happened largely thanks to Intel's arrival - the company now operates its second-largest manufacturing site globally right here in Chandler.

Bonus Facts

• Zora Folley Park is named after a former city councilman who fought Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title
• Chandler High School, founded in 1912, was the first in Arizona to offer the International Baccalaureate program
• Workers building in east Chandler once unearthed woolly mammoth bones, temporarily halting construction
• The Erie well has been operating since 1948, producing over 8.6 billion gallons of drinking water

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Chandler founded?
May 16, 1912 - the same year Arizona became a state.

Who founded Chandler?
Dr. Alexander John Chandler, Arizona's first veterinary surgeon.

Why does Chandler have an Ostrich Festival?
Dr. Chandler raised ostriches, and their feathers were a major industry. The festival celebrates this heritage.

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash