All About Goodyear, AZ

The Tohono O'odham people, formerly known as the Papago, called this place "Valin Thak." But in 1917, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought up 16,000 acres of land in Maricopa County. This was due to the fact that this was ideal cotton growing country, offering day after day after radiant day of plentiful sunshine. And the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company needed cotton--lots of cotton--to use for threads in making vehicle tires.

The town of Goodyear became official in November of 1946, retaining the name of its founding business, and became a city in 1985. Fast forward to the population numbers available in the 2010 census, and Goodyear, Arizona is now home to more than 65,000 people. Goodyear lies 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix. It's worth noting that Goodyear ranked as the third fastest population growth center of all Arizona cities and towns within the decade of 1990 to 2000.

Is cotton still bringing folks to Goodyear? Well, possibly. But climate certainly remains Goodyear's calling card. After all, the Cleveland Indians of pro baseball's American League relocated from Winter Haven, Florida to Goodyear in February of 2009 to pursue spring training. The Indians became a part of the Cactus League again after a 15-year hiatus. (Prior to their stint in Florida, which began in 1993, the Indians had carried out spring training for a number of years in Tucson.)

For in April of 2008, the city council of Goodyear had approved some $33 million to build a new spring training complex for the Indians and the Cincinnati Reds. As part of this complex, Goodyear Ballpark, a 10,000-seat facility, was created; both teams have separate clubhouses, offices and practice fields.

The National Civic League honored the city of Goodyear in 2008 with the All-America City Award.

And what became of the original Goodyear Tire acreage, some 10,000 remaining acres strong? In the 1980's, this acreage was sold for development. Goodyear's sunny, dry climate proves attractive to retirees, as Arizona in general has for decades. Now home to a variety of retirement communities, Goodyear's mild winters and relative proximity to the cultural riches of Phoenix have proved a compelling combination.

Nearby Arizona cities include Buckeye, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, and Avondale.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm in Goodyear, has provided this article for informational purposes.

Goldberg & Osborne, a medical malpractice law firm in Arizona, has made this material available only for informational purposes. The material was written by an independent author. The law firm neither reviewed nor edited the material and cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies.