In
1877, Alexander
Chandler,
a young
Canadian
doctor,
eagerly
accepted
a post as
the first
veterinarian
surgeon
in the Arizona
Territory.
Chandler
often remarked
how "barren
and useless"
the desert
valley appeared
to be. To
his surprise,
the soil
blossomed
into a rich
carpet of
green after
the first
rains. Watching
this transformation,
Chandler
became convinced
of the land's
commercial
potential.
By 1912,
Chandler
acquired
some 18,000
acres of
land just
south of
present
day Mesa,
subdivided
it and began
selling
plots to
eager speculators.
The "town"
consisted
of three
wooden shacks
- the subdivision
office,
a dining
hall and
a grocery
store. Chandler
got a boost
when the
San Marcos
Resort opened
in 1913
and attracted
Hollywood
glitterati
like Clark
Gable and
Fred Astaire.
Located
in southeastern
metropolitan
Phoenix,
Chandler
now has
a population
of over
165,000.
Its economic
base diversified
into the
high technology
arena by
attracting
well-known
firms like
Intel and
Motorola.
Chandler's
downtown
storefronts
have been
restored
to their
original
turn-of-the-century
look. The
Center for
the Arts,
restaurants,
shopping
centers
and annual
family-oriented
festivals
make Chandler
a popular
draw for
Arizona
visitors.
Compadre
Stadium
& Regional
Sports
Complex
is home
to Cactus
League
spring
training,
as well
as local
and national
baseball
and softball
tournaments.
480-782-2727.
The
Chandler
Center
for the
Arts
hosts
a variety
of national
and local
performers
on three
stages.
Located
at 250
N. Arizona
Avenue.
480-782-2680.
Chandler
Historical
Museum
houses
a variety
of interesting
displays
and archives
on the
city's
history.
Located
at 178
E. Commonwealth.
480-782-2842.
