Selling Real Estate in the North Valley & Lake Pleasant area

Lake Pleasant Area Real Estate - Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Surprise, Sun City, Sun City, Anthem, Lake Pleasant area!

Peoria wondrous is a city in Maricopa and Yavapai counties in Arizona that stretches across 176 miles of the beautiful Sonoran desert. Considered a major suburb of Phoenix, Peoria is the ninth largest city in Arizona with approximately 150,000 people. The city was named after Peoria, Illinois and since grown larger in population than its namesake. Peoria has become renowned for its resort and leisure living. Peoria is home to Arizona’s second largest lake, Lake Pleasant, and offers visitors and residents alike 35 miles of trails, top-notch schools, well planned residential neighborhoods and a rich variety of shopping, dining and entertainment venues. In 2008, Peoria was ranked among Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live”. Discover Peoria, a true desert paradise.

Please visit Peoria’s official website for more information. http://www.peoriaaz.gov/default.aspx

History

Peoria can trace its founding back to 1868 when John W. “Jack” Swilling organized a group of men to dig the first modern irrigation ditch in the Salt River Valley, making it possible for more settlers to move in. By 1872, there were eight thousand acres of land being cultivated in the valley and a thriving community managed to blossom along the Salt River. Settlers soon set their sights on reclaiming the desert above the Grand Canal and in 1882 the Arizona Canal Company started work on the Arizona Canal. With the efforts of a young Illinois engineer and former Union Army officer, William J. Murphy, the Canal was complete by 1885.

Murphy soon returned to Illinois in hopes of recruiting settlers to transform the area around the Arizona Canal into a farming community. Several residents from Peoria, Illinois heard about the area’s potential and bought 5,000 acres of land and moved to the area that would become known as Peoria, Arizona. On May 24, 1897 the new residents filed Peoria’s plot map with the Maricopa County recorder, naming the area after their hometown. Between 1891 and 1895 a branch of the Santa, Prescott and Phoenix Railroad line was sent through Peoria along with Phoenix, Glendale, Alhambra, Hesperla, and Marinette. This line helped Peoria to grow and, with the addition of a small depot on 83rd Avenue, ranchers and farmers were able to ship their cattle and crops from the town site, as well as bring goods into the city.

With the advent of World War I, the United States increased production and prices around the country on many products, especially agricultural products. Peoria thrived due to this new demand, with farmers prospering and store owners doing everything in their power to take advantage of the local prosperity. In 1919 the Peoria Chamber of Commerce formed and operated as the informal government body until Peoria’s incorporation in 1954. During this time, agriculture around Peoria supported a variety of crops including wheat, corn, rye, and much more. The town also was the site of four cotton gins, sheep ranching, and citrus farms.

In the early 1950s, increased economic activity along with the presence of the Luke Air Force Base allowed for the Valley to grow by leaps and bounds. Between these factors and the mass-production of air conditioning, there was a massive increase in residential housing in Peoria.

In the postwar construction boom, Peoria become a suburb of Phoenix, providing housing for the capital city as growth moved west. From a population of 4,792 in 1970, the city grew to 12,351 in 1980 and 50,675 in 1990. The change from 1980 to 1990 alone represented a 300 percent increase in the city’s population. In order to support its new residents Peoria expanded its commercial and industrial areas.

Attractions & Activities

http://visitpeoriaaz.com/

Peoria Sports Complex
The Peoria Sports Complex is the first two-team facility built in the country, housing the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners for Spring Training and player development. This premier baseball facility sits on 145 acres, with each team having 6 Major League sized practice fields, a 40,000 square foot clubhouse, and indoor/outdoor batting tunnels and cages. The Peoria Sports Complex also houses a superb main stadium that seats 11,333 fans. To learn this and more about the Peoria Sports Complex, please visit their main page at: http://www.peoriaaz.com/sportscomplex/sportscomplex_main.asp.

Challenger Space Center of Arizona
The Challenger Space Center of Arizona is a memorial to the astronauts that lost their lives in the Challenger STS – 51L flight on January 28, 1986. The Challenger Space Center of Arizona has a unique relationship with the Smithsonian Institute which allows visitors to view national quality museum exhibits. The Center also offers educational programs for individuals, families and schools, as well as camps, stargazing, and corporate programs and rentals. The Challenger Space Center of Arizona’s mission is to “inspire, excite, and educate people of all ages about the mysteries and wonders of space, science and the universe in which we live…”. Discover this and more information on the Challenger Space Center of Arizona by visiting their official website: http://visitpeoriaaz.com/challenger.php.

Peoria Arts and Culture
Peoria is the gateway to arts and culture in the West Valley through a number of recent downtown redevelopments. If you want to see the performing arts, visit the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, which is a critically acclaimed community theatre, or the Arizona Broadway Theatre which provides dinner and a show. An amazing selection of art can be discovered at the West Valley Art Museum. Nearby downtown Phoenix offers visitors and residents alike access to the Herberger Theatre Center, Dodge Theatre, Phoenix Symphony, Orpheum Theatre, Heard Museum and much more. For a more complete listing of Peoria arts and culture, please visit: http://visitpeoriaaz.com/arts_culture.php

Parks & Recreation

The City of Peoria is home to numerous parks and recreational facilities including Neighborhood and Community Parks, as well as Recreational Facilities and Regional Parks. The City also offers several parks with fenced off-leash areas for your dogs to stretch their legs. These dog friendly areas can be found at Sunnyslope Park, Parkridge Park, and Alta Vista Park. To find out more about Peoria’s parks and recreation, please visit the City of Peoria’s official parks and recreation page at: http://www.peoriaaz.gov/content2.aspx?id=915

Events Calendar

Peoria is home to spectacular events that occur throughout the year. From holidays to sports events, Peoria has you covered. Annually, Peoria features numerous music concerts headlining national and local acts at the Peoria Sports Complex or at the Cricket Pavilion. Peoria is also well known for the variety of local, regional, and even national tournaments that occur throughout the year. Starting in late February, The San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners begin spring training at the Peoria Sports Complex. Starting in March, there’s a game a day that bring such teams as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Oakland A's, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and the Arizona Diamondbacks to play in Peoria. Cactus League baseball treats fans with major league baseball in a minor league setting. For family fun join in the celebration of Easter, Halloween, winter holidays, 4th of July, and the city’s heritage downtown. For an up to date event calendar for Peoria, please visit: http://www.peoriaaz.gov/content2.aspx?id=1109