Queen Creek

The Town of Queen Creek's name originated up in the eastern mountains surrounding the Town of Superior. This land is rich with supplies of ore and had many mines. One mine that opened up in those mountains was the Silver Queen. There was a creek at the base of the Silver Queen Mine known as the Picket Post Creek. Picket Post Creek was named after the oddly shaped mountain above it (it is the one you can see today above the State Arboretum). When the Silver Queen Mine opened for production, the name of the Picket Post Creek was changed to Queen Creek. That same creek runs down from the mountains, past the mine, through the Queen Creek Canyon, into the area surrounding the present day Town of Queen Creek.

The Town of Queen Creek was known as Rittenhouse prior to this. That was because of the railroad spur located near Rittenhouse and Ellsworth roads. An odd fact is that people used to flag down the train to get a ride into Phoenix. As the community grew, and the use of the railroad stop diminished, the community changed its name and took on the name Queen Creek.

The preservation of the Queen Creek Wash and the Sonoqui Wash as public trails and open space is an important factor in this community. In fact, the Town's plan is built around this preservation effort. These washes are usually dry and home to many kinds of birds and wildlife. There may have been a time when these washes and the creeks throughout the valley had more water in them. Early in the 20th Century, a series of dams and reservoirs changed the waterways in the southwest. During our rainy season, and when the dams release water from the reservoirs, the creek beds and washes still do fill up and the water will run, even through the Town of Queen Creek. In the event of a 100-year flood, the washes and creeks will be important to keep the floodwater from damaging homes and property.

Queen Creek has developed into a modern town with many modern conveniences. Shopping, retail, and grocery stores are readily available from very large names to hometown favorites. However, the town has worked diligently to keep with it's farming heritage and grow responsibly. This is a great place to call home and has both family and active adult communities.