Agua Fria High School Alumni 1982

Home Town History

Litchfield Park

The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought the piece of land that Litchfield Park sits on today in 1916. The company had already purchased the land around Goodyear, but it still needed more land. The company was having difficulty getting the long-staple cotton, due to a Germany blockade during World War I. So they decided to grow their own cotton to meet their needs. The land was turned into farmlands for harvesting Egyptian long-staple cotton, which was used in making tire cords, uniforms, balloons and airplane fabric.

Litchfield Park was named after Paul Litchfield, who was Vice President of Goodyear at the time. Paul Litchfield is also credited in coming up with the ideal location for growing the cotton. Litchfield Park eventually became the headquarters for the Goodyear Farms, which had thousands of acres under cultivation.

The company discovered there was a need to build a place to stay for visiting executives to Goodyear Farms. The Wigwam Resort was constructed in 1918 for company executives. Then in 1929, the resort opened to the public. Today, the 75-acre Wigwam Resort and Country Club has become a top rated place to stay in Arizona. The resort is consistently marked one of the best.

From 1931 through 1944 Litchfield Park was the test site for Goodyear auto, truck and tractor tires. Then in the 1960's, a master planned community was developed. This community is a popular place to live today.

In 1987, the town was incorporated. Litchfield Park has a public library, swimming pool and several parks for its resident's enjoyment. The town has beautiful surroundings, a small town atmosphere with nearby metropolitan advantages.

Goodyear, Az

The city of Goodyear was born from a company, but now thrives through its community.

Goodyear, located 17 miles west of Phoenix, is a well-run city named after the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

In 1916, the Goodyear Co. farmed cotton on a 20,000-acre plot for its tires. Later, an offshoot, Goodyear Aircraft, built a plant and housing for workers building flight decks for Navy seaplanes. Those workers created a community and named it Goodyear.

Today, this former company town, which incorporated in 1946, encompasses 116 square miles, 23 miles from its northern to southern borders, and sits at the base of the Estrella Mountains.

Goodyear is bisected by Interstate 10 and the Union Pacific Railroad line. As a result of its close proximity to transportation and to Phoenix, and its affordable housing, droves of newcomers are flocking to the area. The city has been experiencing a 15 percent annual growth rate for the past three years, with a population increase from 3,137 in 1980 to 14,305 in 1998. It is projected to reach 18,000 in 2000.

Most new residents move into homes built in one of the city's four master-planned communities. By 2010, city officials estimate these communities will bring 18,000 new homes, and 54,000 residents, to the city.

City officials also have attempted to foster an active community.

Each fall, Estrella Mountain Ranch, the city's premier master-planned development, hosts the annual Cool Desert Jazz Festival, bringing top national and local jazz artists to Goodyear.

In the spring, the Phoenix Symphony performs an evening pops concert, also at Estrella Mountain Ranch, and Duncan's Family Farms offers annual pumpkin festivals, Easter egg hunts and a petting zoo.

The city is also home to the 19,000-acre Estrella Mountain Regional Park and has a community building, swimming pool, three golf courses and six city parks.

Population: Slightly more than 17,000 (1999 city estimate)

Location: About 17 miles west of Phoenix, adjacent to Avondale and Tolleson.

School Districts: Avondale Elementary, (623) 932-0840; Litchfield Elementary, (623) 935-0000; Agua Fria Union High School District, (623) 932-7003

Government: The City Council is composed of the mayor and six councilmembers, all elected to four-year terms. City Hall: (623) 932-3910.

Major Attraction: Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Information: www.ci.goodyear.az.us

Avondale is building out from its humble roots.

The city began in 1840 as a 280-acre homestead founded by cowboy Billy Moore along the wagon road from Phoenix to California. Farmers followed Moore into the area, and his plot grew into an agricultural community and incorporated in 1946.

Avondale has grown to more than 52 square miles, and its location along Interstate 10 makes its property choice for home developers. However, the city's housing development didn't boom until the mid-1990s with master-planned communities.

The city's most renowned attraction is Phoenix International Raceway, which features 78,484 seats plus hillside seating. Races at PIR include Nascar and the Indy Racing League.

Population: Slightly more than 30,000 (1999 city estimate)

Location: About 20 miles west of Phoenix, adjacent to the cities of Tolleson and Goodyear.

School Districts: Avondale Elementary, (623) 932-0840; Litchfield Elementary, (623) 935-0000; Littleton Elementary, (623) 936-6581; Pendergast Elementary, (623) 872-8484; Tolleson Union High School, (623) 247-4222; Agua Fria Union High School, (623) 932-7003.

Government: The City Council is composed of the mayor and six councilmembers, all elected to four-year terms. City Hall: (623) 932-2400.

Major Attraction: Phoenix International Raceway

Information: www.ci.avondale.az.us

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