The History of Chandler
Chandler was once a quiet farming community. The town is named after Dr. A.J. Chandler, who was the first veterinary surgeon for the territory of Arizona. In 1891, Dr. Chandler bought 80 acres south of Mesa. He studied irrigation engineering, and was instrumental in establishing the canals and irrigation systems in the East Valley.
By 1900, he owned an 18,000 acre ranch, but the Salt River Project charter only allowed each landowner irrigation water for 160 acres. He decided to subdivide his land, and developed a townsite plan. The project became known as Chandler Ranch, and a sales office was set up in 1912. Excursion trains on the newly completed Arizona Eastern Railroad brought in well heeled speculators, who bought parcels.
The town was envisioned to be anchored by a tree-lined central park, with businesses all around it. The very elegant San Marcos Hotel was opened in 1913, on the west side of the park, and other businesses soon began filling in the west and south areas of the park. It was beginning to look like a town.
Chandler developed as an agricultural town, and long staple cotton became a major crop, used in tires during WWI. Another big item was ostrich feathers, used mostly in ladies’ fashion.
Today, these products are no longer as important. Now,hi tech electronics and engineering are the major industries. The city is a great place to live, with lots of entertainment and shopping, and a great lifestyle. Downtown has even been revitalized as a dining and business center, and is rapidly becoming a “go to” destination.