Gilbert, Arizona


Gilbert is located in the central part and is the fourth largest city in the U.S. State of Arizona. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. It is officially still a town, and is considered a large, suburb of Phoenix. The largest hay shipments in the world left from the train depot in the town's early days. Once the Hay Capital of the World.

The town is known for its friendly atmosphere and high quality of life. It is ranked as one of the safest and best places to live, with high-performing public and private schools.



To See And To Do In Gilbert


  • Gilbert Historical Museum
  • Downtown
  • Gilbert Arts Center
  • Gallery 4 Exhibitions
  • Agritopia Farm
  • Gilbert Gateway Towne Center
  • Freestone District Park
  • Hale Centre Theatre
  • Tuscany Theatre
  • Gilbert Town Square Shopping
  • Park Tavern and Market
  • Desert Moon Traders Shop
  • 12 West Brewing Taproom at Barnone


History Of Gilbert - Timeline


Gilbert is a young town and the area was originally inhabited by the Hohokam people. They had built canals which early settlers later adapted for farming.

In 1880, the Cooper family came to the area. Orson Cooper was just a baby then but would later became a figure whose family, including his son and later Mayor Morris Cooper, significantly influenced Gilbert's development, education, and history.

In 1886, William Barkley and his family arrived to the Gilbert-region to farm. The family later donated land for the first two schools in Gilbert, helping to shape the community's early development.

In 1891, Gilbert was founded. William M. Gilbert purchased a homestead in the area. The John Anderson family arrived to file the town's first homestead patent. They developed extensive farmland. They built a cattle ranch, and dug a irrigation ditch that brought water to their land. John Logie Anderson filed for homestead entry and developed early irrigation.

In 1892, John Cuber homesteaded land, a significant early agricultural foothold in the region. In 1896, the Pine homestead patent was filed. In 1898, William M. Gilbert filed and recieved his 160 acre homestead entry patent. Fred Weeks established a farm. The Weeks family is still today farming the land.

In 1900, Orson Cooper established a dairy farm, and the first school was built. In 1901, the Charles Brass family came to farm. In 1902, William M. Gilbert sold crucial right-of-way to the Phoenix & Eastern Railroad, which spurred the town's development. In 1903, the first train arrived. In 1905, a railroad depot was built.

In 1909, a new school opened on the land William Barkley had donated. In 1910, Ayer's Grocery Store opened. A.W. Ayers was selling groceries, shoes, and dry goods. In 1911, a creamery was built. Farmers increased their yields when they got clean water for crop irrigation when the Consolidated Canal, the Eastern Canal, and the Roosevelt Dam was built.

In 1912, Ayer's Grocery Store, became the first post office, and David Butler was appointed as Gilbert's first postmaster. Amos Burk settled, built a home for his family an brought his prize winning bulls. The school board decided to build another school. The Houck's blacksmith shop was established.

In 1913, the elementary school was built with four classrooms, and the Gilbert School District was formed. In 1914, the Church of Christ was built. In 1915, the Nowells' house was built. Hap Nowell's store was one of the pioneer businesses in Gilbert. In 1916, Pilchers Drugstore opened and the Timmons Garage was built. In 1917, the Gilbert Bank was built, and Splinder's Grocery and Meat Maket opened.

In 1918, the Barber building was built. It was a barbershop and store built by Leland Barber. The Clare House was built. The Clare family opened a sheet metal shop, and helped to start the town's first Methodist church. The Mormon Church was built. J.D Lynch built a lumberyard, Burns, built a blacksmith shop, and Clive Davis built the General Store. Timmons sold the garage to Albert Tone and Charles M. Blakely.

In 1919, the First Gilbert Methodist Church was built, and Mick Johnson opened the Mickey's Cafe. In 1920, the town was incorporated, and the old Gilbert Highschool was built. Oscar Phelps served as a Town Marshall. In 1921, Sin Kee Ong opened a grocery store. The family named it Sam Lee's Grocery. In 1923, a volunteer fire fighter service was established.

In 1925, the Water Tower was built. In 1929, the Barber building was purchased by McCormick. The McCormick family established the newspaper the Gilbert Enterprise. Albert Tone built a pay and take it store. In 1945, the Gilbert Airport was built. In 1947, a sewer system was built.

In 1950, Gilbert had a small population of 1,114. In 1977, Frank Dees became the towns first Chief of Police. In 1979, the Post Office was built. In 1980, there were 5,717 people living in the town. In 1982, the elementary school complex was sold to the Gilbert Historic Society.

In 1988, Freestone Park opened. In 2006, the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center opened. In 2000, 109,697 people living in the city. In 2003, the Hale Centre Theatre opened. In 2025, there were 290,964 people living in the city.