Chandler Arizona Tourism

In August of 1887 a gentleman named Alexander John Chandler traveled to Arizona. He was appointed the first veterinary surgeon of the Territory of Arizona.

Only thirty days after his appointment a severe drought had set in, and the Arizona cattle began to perish rapidly. Because of this Chandler resigned his commission as state veterinarian in Prescott.

He had every intention to travel to California, on his wagon trip down the Black Canyon Road; he was convinced that he was doing the right thing. The night he arrived in Phoenix it began to rain and he changed his mind and withdrew his resignation as the state veterinary surgeon, keeping it until 1892.

In the 1890’s Chandler became one of the largest landholders in the Salt River Valley, having nearly eighteen thousand acres, which was called the Chandler Ranch. Chandler had became an expert in irrigation.

While Roosevelt Dam was being constructed, he surveyed his acreage into agricultural plots of from ten to one hundred sixty acres. During 1911, he advertised his land for sale. The response was immense. Only a year later the town of Chandler was established.