Chandler Arizona

Considering relocating the Chandler Arizona Area? Here are some helpful facts, tips, Chandler history and links to help get you started.

Chandler History ~

When Dr. Alexander John Chandler settled in the area south of Mesa Arizona in 1891 he began buying and developing the acreage around his home and by 1900 he had acquired 18,000 acres. At this time he drew up plans for a townsite which was called Chandler Ranch. This site opened on May 17, 1912, and was also the same year Chandler High School was established. During this time a town center was established and the luxurious Hotel San Marcos was completed in 1913. This resort was also the first golf resort in the state.

In 1941 the population grew when  Williams Air Force Base was founded. While this led to more folks in the area it wasn’t until those moving out of the city of Phoenix in 1950 really started putting Chandler Arizona on the map and by 1980 the population had grown to over 30,000.  Some of this growth was fueled by the establishment of manufacturing plants for communications and computing firms such as Microchip, Motorola and Intel, but despite the inclusion of many large businesses, Chandler is often considered a bedroom community for the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Chandler Activities and Events ~
We are probably best known for our unique Ostrich Festival each year. If you’re relocating to the Chandler area, you have to check out this unique historical fact. While we originally were tuned into agriculture in the 1910s ostrich farms starting popping up in the community due to the demand of the plumes in women’s hats. Although the ostrich farms may be a thing of the past overshadowed by the increased popularity of the automobile shortly after, the legacy of the ostrich farms would be commemorated by the annual Ostrich Festival.

The Chandler Center for the Arts, a 1,500-seat regional performing arts venue, is located downtown and is a testament to Chandler’s commitment to the arts.  The Chandler Center for the Arts opened in 1989 and the City of Chandler and the Chandler Unified School District share the center with school productions as well as out of town exhibits and performances. The Center was built on the donations of the community and marks the collaboration of a world-class team of architects, designers, and acousticians.

The Arizona Railway Museum is at Tumbleweed Park.  This open air museum offers some of the most historical and unique trains that ran through the area. Visitors can get up close and personal with large steam trains, engines and learn about trains in the Chandler Arizona area.

Valuable Chandler Resources and Links ~

Community Resources:

• Chandler Public Library
• Chandler Center for the Arts
• Chandler Community Profile (PDF – From the Arizona Department of Commerce)

• United States Postal Service
• American Moving and Storage Association

New State Resident Services:

• Motor Vehicles Division
• Professional Licensing
• State tax information

• Arizona Public Service (APS), 55 N. Arizona Place, Suite 105, 480-371-7171
• Salt River Project, 1521 N. Project Dr., Tempe, 85281, 602-236-8888
• Southwest Gas, 5705 S. Kyrene Rd., in Tempe, 602-861-1999
• Water (turn on/off), 55 N. Arizona Pl., Suite 105, 480-782-2280

Chandler Regional Medical Center
475 S. Dobson Road, 480-728-3000

Map of Chandler AZ