A Brief History of Chino Valley AZ

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Chino Valley’s history begins on Dec. 1, 1862 when the U.S. Congress established the Territory of Arizona. The Post of Fort Whipple, the site of the first Territorial Government, was set up near Del Rio Springs on December 23, 1863. Territorial government officials arrived in January 1864 and operated from there until May 1864 when the Fort was moved closer to Prescott. Within months settlers homesteaded the land around the old fort and the long story of farming and ranching in Chino Valley began.

The coming of the railroad in the 1880’s signaled a new era for Chino Valley.  Jerome Junction, one mile east of todays Highway 89,  was created to provide a transfer point for the narrow gauge coming over from the mines in Jerome and the Santa Fe railroad going from Prescott to the main line at Ash Fork.  It became a major railroad junction complete with a station, post office,Wells Fargo office, hotel, stores, stockyards, a school and a hotel.

In 1909 the AT&SF Railroad and the Fred Harvey organization continued the faming tradition when they purchased the farm to supply the Fred Harvey Houses and dining cars along the Santa Fe RR with milk, eggs, meat and produce.

In May 1920, the railroad line from Jerome was moved further north. Jerome Junction remained a stop on the Santa Fe but most town activity moved west along Highway 89.  Many of the buildings were moved there too.  From 1920’s through the late 1940’s most families were engaged in farming and ranching. Dairy farms became quite numerous in the mid 1950’s through 1965.

The increasing costs for electricity and water for irrigating soon made it unprofitable for farmers to farm their land.  While the farm dollar decreased, the land values increased and many made the choice of selling their land for new homes and businesses.

31,430 thoughts on “A Brief History of Chino Valley AZ”

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