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38-514: The historic Apache Trail linked Apache Junction ( 33°24′55″N 111°34′51″W  /  33.4152°N 111.5807°W  / 33.4152; -111.5807  ( Apache Trail, southwestern end ) ) at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area with Theodore Roosevelt Lake ( 33°40′21″N 111°09′11″W  /  33.6725°N 111.1531°W  / 33.6725; -111.1531  ( Apache Trail, northeastern end ) ), through

76-478: A National Historic Landmark in 1963 but was withdrawn from the list in 1999. In 1989, an ambitious expansion and renovation project was begun at Roosevelt Dam. The dam was resurfaced with concrete by J.A. Jones Construction Company , and its height was raised 77 feet (23 m) to 357 feet (109 m), which had the effect of increasing the storage capacity of Roosevelt Lake by roughly 20%. This project, which included three other major construction contracts associated with

114-453: A female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.85. In the city, the population had 19.9% under the age of 20, 4.5% from 20 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

152-543: A logistical nightmare, the solution to this problem was the construction of the Apache Trail. Thus, the Apache Trail served as the critical supply road, facilitating the transport of materials and equipment to the dam site. Construction of the Apache Trail (known as the Tonto Wagon Road at that time) began on August 29, 1903. The route of this supply road followed the ancient footpath that is believed to have been used by

190-464: A prolonged period of drought , and it would be some time before the newly increased capacity was put to use, with the lake finally reaching historic levels of 100% capacity in February 2009. As a result of the reconstruction, the dam has a completely altered appearance from when it was originally listed as a National Historic Landmark. The original rubble-masonry dam was completely encased in concrete, and

228-633: Is a dam on the Salt River located northeast of Phoenix, Arizona . The dam is 357 feet (109 m) high and forms Theodore Roosevelt Lake as it impounds the Salt River. Built between 1905 and 1911, the dam was renovated and expanded in 1989–1996. The dam is named after President Theodore Roosevelt . Serving mainly for irrigation, water supply, and flood control, the dam also has a hydroelectric generating capacity of 36 megawatts . In 1888, Billy Breakenridge became surveyor for Maricopa County. He surveyed

266-728: Is also the main traffic corridor through Apache Junction, turning into Main Street as the road passes into Mesa , and regains the Apache name by becoming Apache Boulevard in Tempe , ending at Mill Avenue. Prior to the completion of the Superstition Freeway in 1992, the Apache Junction portion of the Apache Trail was part of US Highway 60, which was rerouted to the Superstition Freeway once it

304-656: Is bounded to the east by the Superstition Mountains (a federal wilderness area and home of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine ) and to the north by the Goldfield Mountains with the Bulldog Recreation Area . Goldfield Ghost Town, a tourist location preserved from former prospecting days, lies near the western face of Superstition Mountain just off Highway 88 (Apache Trail). It is located just southwest of

342-513: The 2020 census , the population was 38,499, most of whom lived in Pinal County. It is named for the junction of the Apache Trail and Old West Highway . The area where Apache Junction is located used to be known as Youngberg . Superstition Mountain, the westernmost peak of the Superstition Mountains , is to the east. The location became a historical landmark. It is part of a scenic byway that

380-710: The Act, and the first major project to be completed. Construction on Roosevelt Dam began in 1903. The primary purpose of the project was to provide water storage for the Salt River Project and flood control through the Salt River Valley. In 1906 Congress initiated federal production of electric power by authorizing the Reclamation Service to develop and sell hydroelectric power at the Salt River Project. The dam

418-580: The Anasazi tribes to trade with the Hohokam. Other Native American tribes may have also used this footpath during prehistoric times as a migratory route between their summer and winter homes. Apache Indians provided most of the labor for this road construction and they lived separately from the other crews. These Apache workmen often brought their wives and children to live with them and maintained their traditional way of life. The Apache Trail, originally running from

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456-603: The Mesa railhead to the dam site, was completed on September 3, 1905 at a cost of $ 551,000. After the completion of the Apache Trail in 1905, the character of this road began to change. While this road continued to serve as a supply route for the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, the Apache Trail soon opened up for public use. Several entrepreneurs began to provide transportation services along this road, which included both stagecoach and automobile excursions. These entrepreneurs recognized

494-537: The Salt River for potential dam sites, and in July 1889 he, James McClintock, William J. Murphy, and John R. Norton set off on horseback to select one. A week in they reached Box Canyon, near the confluence of Tonto Creek and the Salt River and made their choice. However, they lacked the funding to proceed. The Newlands Reclamation Act of 1902 created the United States Reclamation Service , whose purpose

532-590: The Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest . From Apache Junction heading northeast to Tortilla Flat, the Trail - named The E. Apache Trail (Arizona State Rt 88) at this point - is paved, turning into a dirt road a few miles east of Tortilla Flat , and continuing as such for nearly the full remainder of its length. The section east of Apache Junction is known officially as State Route 88 . It

570-673: The US do not allow their vehicles to be taken on this route. Fires and floods in 2019 resulted in a massive landslide between the Fish Creek Hill Overlook and Apache Lake Marina. This section of road was closed for repairs, and reopened in September 2024. Development of the Salt River Valley began after the Civil War , when the United States federal government desired to settle territories in

608-586: The West. Accordingly, surveying in the Salt River Valley in the Arizona Territory revealed the potential for irrigation-based frontier settlements. The initial settlement, Phoenix, grew slowly, but as the irrigation system along the Salt River expanded, new settlements developed in the valley, which included Tempe and Mesa in the east and the towns of Alhambra, Peoria, and Glendale in the northwest. However,

646-519: The arid lands of the West. Due to pressure from publications, irrigation organizations, and lobby campaigns, both the Republican and Democratic platforms in the presidential election of 1900 prioritized pro-irrigation and pro-reclamation as their central plank. As a result, on June 17, 1902, the National Reclamation Act was signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt . This act authorized

684-495: The city limits comprising the El Dorado Mobile Estates Resort and Senior Cottages of Apache Junction extends west into Maricopa County. The city is bordered to the west partly by the city of Mesa and to the southeast by unincorporated Gold Canyon . Downtown Phoenix is 33 miles (53 km) to the west via U.S. Route 60 , which also leads east 54 miles (87 km) to Globe . Arizona State Route 88 , following

722-407: The city was 89.5% White , 1.2% Black or African American , 1.1% Native American , 0.8% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 4.9% from other races , and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.4% of the population. There were 15,574 households, out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had

760-522: The coldest temperature recorded was 17 °F (−8.3 °C) on January 14, 2007. Apache Junction first appeared on the 1970 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was formally incorporated as a city in 1978. As of the census of 2010, there were 35,840 people, 15,574 households, and 9,372 families residing in the city. The population density was 929.3 inhabitants per square mile (358.8/km ). There were 22,771 housing units at an average density of 665.1 per square mile (256.8/km ). The racial makeup of

798-400: The dam, was completed in 1996 at a cost of $ 430 million. These included the realignment of Highway 188 over the new Theodore Roosevelt Lake Bridge upstream of the dam, renovations to the hydroelectric power plant, and a tunneling contract known as the "Lake Tap" for locating penstocks to bring water into the plant's electric turbines. Shortly after completion, however, the area entered into

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836-657: The development and funding of large-scale water projects to harness and manage the water in the West. One of the first federal projects undertaken by the National Reclamation Act was the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam in Arizona, which would provide the vital water supply and hydroelectric power to promote the growth of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Although the remote site of this future dam proved to be

874-547: The exhibits on the grounds of the Superstition Mountain Museum are studio sets and other Western paraphernalia that were saved from the Apacheland fire of 1969. Apacheland was a 1,800-acre movie set that opened in 1960. Also located in Apache junction is the ghost town of Goldfield. Goldfield was a mining town established in 1893 next to Superstition Mountain. When the mine vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and

912-508: The likelihood of disastrous floods during the wet periods. In the late 1890s, the valley experienced its worst drought since the Civil War. As a result, citizens in the Arizona Territory, along with their counterparts in the surrounding areas of the West, realized the urgent need for reclamation projects. Furthermore, this devastating drought showcased the need for greater government involvement in these water management projects that would reclaim

950-402: The major challenge to the valley's continued agricultural and economic growth was the temperamental Salt River. Its flow was erratic with both droughts and floods straining the farmers. There was a clear need for the reliable delivery of water. Reclamation projects, such as building a storage dam, would not only accumulate and provide enough water for the farmers during a drought, but also decrease

988-622: The route of the old Apache Trail , leads northeast from Apache Junction through the Superstition Mountains 45 miles (72 km) to State Route 188 at Theodore Roosevelt Lake . Apache Junction is located in the east part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Area . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 35.1 square miles (91 km ), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km ), or 0.03%, were listed as water. The town

1026-501: The site of the ghost town of Goldfield . In October 2021, Apache Junction annexed ten square miles south of the city's previous southern boundary. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Apache Junction has a hot semi-arid climate , abbreviated "BSh" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Apache Junction was 119 °F (48.3 °C) on June 26, 1990, and July 27–28, 1995, while

1064-477: The structural height was extended from 280 feet (85 m) to 357 feet (109 m). Since the dam no longer had the integrity of the design, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association that it had when it was originally listed, the National Historic Landmark designation was withdrawn on March 10, 1999. The Theodore Roosevelt Dam National Register District contains other resources that are listed on

1102-501: The town eventually became a ghost town. The town and its historic buildings were revived as a tourist attraction. Apache Junction is located along U.S. Route 60 . Apache Junction is not served by local buses. Greyhound Lines serves Apache Junction on its Phoenix - El Paso via Globe route. It is in the Apache Junction Unified School District . Theodore Roosevelt Dam Theodore Roosevelt Dam

1140-418: The unspoiled and spectacular landscape surrounding this road and marketed its appeal as a popular tourist destination. Southern Pacific Railroad was one of the first companies to benefit from the scenic beauty of this road. They offered the famous "Sunset Route", which was their "New Orleans to San Francisco" train route that included a motorcar side trip over the Apache Trail for an additional fee. Of note, it

1178-411: The world's largest artificial reservoir. The dam was opened by President Theodore Roosevelt on March 18, 1911. Roosevelt Dam, as originally conceived and built, was a symbol of success and a showpiece for the new Reclamation agency. The dam contributed more than any other dam in Arizona to the settlement of Central Arizona and to the development of large-scale irrigation there. The dam was listed as

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1216-435: Was 47.5 years. The median income (as of the 2000 census) for a household in the city was $ 33,170, and the median income for a family was $ 37,726. Males had a median income of $ 31,283 versus $ 22,836 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,806. About 7.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over. Apache Junction

1254-453: Was completed. The Trail winds steeply through 40 miles (64 km) of rugged desert mountains, past deep reservoir lakes like Canyon Lake and Apache Lake . The narrow, winding road is unpaved from just east of the town of Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam ; there are steep cliff drops and few safety barriers. The trail requires caution when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs , SUVs, or caravans. Some large RV rental companies in

1292-405: Was finished in 1911 after several devastating floods had interrupted the construction progress in 1905. Completed at a cost of $ 10 million, it was the largest masonry dam in the world for its time, and one of the tallest, surpassing the 135-foot Lake Hemet Dam with a height of 280 feet (84 m) and a length of 723 feet (216 m), while 1,600,000 acre-feet (2.0 km ) Roosevelt Lake was for a time

1330-432: Was incorporated as a city on November 24, 1978. The city is governed by a collection of elected officials, clerk, and nine boards and commissions. The city council has seven members, which includes the mayor and vice-mayor. The mayor serves a two-year term. The current mayor is Chip Wilson, Vice Mayor Christa Rizzi. This gallery includes images of some of the remaining historical structures located in Apache Junction. Among

1368-443: Was opened to the public in 1922 and is currently part of a 120-mile-long (190 km) "circle trail" that begins and ends in Apache Junction. The O'odham Jeweḍ, Akimel O'odham (Upper Pima ), and Hohokam people all have tribal ties to the area. Apache Junction is in northern Pinal County at 33°24′54″N 111°32′46″W  /  33.415035°N 111.546025°W  / 33.415035; -111.546025 . A small portion of

1406-567: Was the Southern Pacific Railway Company who coined the name "Apache Trail" in their advertising campaigns in order to promote these automobile side tours of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam and the Apache Trail. This name has been used for this road ever since. Download coordinates as: Apache Junction, Arizona Apache Junction (Western Apache: Hagosgeed) is a city in Pinal and Maricopa County, Arizona , United States. As of

1444-466: Was to design and construct irrigation projects to aid the settlement of the arid west. Previous efforts by individuals and private irrigation companies were inadequate and often unsuccessful. With the creation of the Reclamation Service, the lead role of the federal government in developing large-scale irrigation projects was firmly established. What was to become Roosevelt Dam was one of the original five federal projects authorized on March 14, 1903, under

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