Florence
City Guide
 Established
in 1866 and
situated on
a terrace
overlooking
the Gila River,
Florence has
the distinction
of being the
fifth oldest
town in Arizona.
In 1866, Colonel
Levi Ruggles,
an Indian
gent, laid
out the town
in its still
distinctive
pattern, and
another Arizona
town was born.
Some historians
believe the
town was named
for the sister
of Territorial
Governor Richard
McCormick.
The town became
the Pinal
County seat,
and by 1880
the population
climbed above
1,000. The
town's business
center kept
pace with
this growth
and, by year's
end, some
28 saloons
lined Main
Street.
Wildflowers.
Desert Marigolds
near Florence
off Arizona
Highway
87.
Like many
a town in
the old
Arizona
territory,
Florence
had its
share of
colorful,
"Wild West"
moments.
In fact,
the town
was the
scene of
the "Six-gun
Classic,"
one of the
most famous
gunfights
in Arizona
history.
In 1881,
a feud developed
between
County Sheriff
Pete Gabriel
and Josephus
Phy, his
former deputy
and friend.
On May 31,
Phy paused
Hollywood-like
at the swinging
doors of
the Tunnel
Saloon,
spotted
Gabriel
drinking
whiskey
at the bar,
then walked
in shooting.
Despite
being hit
twice, the
sheriff
returned
fire and
mortally
wounded
Phy. Gabriel
recovered
and lived
for another
10 years.
Set in
the Sonoran
desert near
the Picacho
Mountains,
Florence
is home
to about
8,800 residents
today. The
sidewalk
overhangs
and false
front stores
give the
town an
authentic
Old West
feel. The
Historic
District
boasts over
100 turn-of-the-century
homes that
are listed
on the National
Register
of Historic
Places.
ATTRACTIONS
- McFarland
State
Historic
Park
is the
location
of the
first
Pinal
County
Courthouse
and site
of historic
trials.
The park
also exhibits
artifacts
and photos
describing
life at
the WWII
POW camp
near Florence,
one of
the largest
in the
U.S. (928)
868-5216.
- The
Pinal
County
Historical
Museum
houses
a items
from the
area's
colorful
history,
including
prehistoric
Indian
artifacts
and hangman
nooses
from recent
prisoner
executions.
(928)
868-4382.
- In the
Historic
District,
pick up
a walking
map of
historic
homes
at the
Pinal
County
Visitor
Center
(520-868-9433).
LODGING
- Blue
Mist Motel
40 S. Pinal
Parkway
(Hwy. 79),
(928) 868-5875
- Inn
at Rancho
Sonora
9198 N.
Hwy 79,
(928)
868-8000
- Desert
Gardens
RV Park
(928)
868-3800
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