Here are some interesting bits of trivia about our state. See how many of these facts you knew about—and which ones surprised you.
- The world’s largest rose bush is located in Tombstone.
Chanel Wheeler/Flickr Now more than 130 years old, this rose bush is the size of a massive tree and is still flourishing in its original desert home. The canopy covers approximately 8,000 square feet and its trunk is about 12 feet wide.
- Arizona has three pyramid-shaped monuments and tombs located around the state.
Sergei/Flickr One is located in Florence dedicated to Charles D. Poston, another in Phoenix for former governor George W.P. Hunt, and one in Quartzsite for Hadji Ali, an Ottoman citizen who was affectionately known by Quartzsite locals as “Hi Jolly.”
- An interesting fact about Ali: he was part of a team that attempted to introduce camels to Arizona’s deserts.
Sagarika Bose/Flickr The plan ultimately didn’t work out for the US Army, however, because many of the other other pack animals were spooked by the large creatures.
- Arizona has at least four memorials dedicated to 9/11.
Robin J Phillips/Flickr For example, there is an official monument at the state capitol in Phoenix, a city-sponsored one in Gilbert composed of a steel beam girder, a student-made sculpture in Tucson, and a remembrance garden version located in east Winslow.
- The famous and legendary gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone actually only lasted a mere 30 seconds at most.
Andrew Rollinger/Flickr
- Arizona has three places with names related to major holidays: Santa Claus, Christmas, and Valentine.
Todd Huffman/Flickr Both of the Christmas-related towns are abandoned and Valentine had a population of 36 in 2000.
- However, Arizona does have a Christmas town: Prescott!
Dagny Gromer/Flickr Every year the town decorates with twinkle lights, hosts parades, and other events to highlight the holiday.
- Even a few of our McDonald’s restaurants stand out from the crowd.
Jason Eppink/Flickr The location in Sedona is the only to have the turquoise as opposed to golden arches; the McDonald’s in Benson has a huge raptor located on premises; and the old Sierra Vista location was the first in the nation to have a drive-through window.
- The first McDonald’s in the state was located at Central and Indian School in central Phoenix, complete with the iconic golden arches flanking each side of the building.
George/Flickr
- Newcomers and people born after 1990 may not know this one: Indian School Road in Phoenix was named after the Phoenix Indian School, located on the same street and Central Avenue.
Brian Indrelunas/Flickr
What are some other lesser-known facts about Arizona that you know of?
Chanel Wheeler/Flickr
Now more than 130 years old, this rose bush is the size of a massive tree and is still flourishing in its original desert home. The canopy covers approximately 8,000 square feet and its trunk is about 12 feet wide.
Sergei/Flickr
One is located in Florence dedicated to Charles D. Poston, another in Phoenix for former governor George W.P. Hunt, and one in Quartzsite for Hadji Ali, an Ottoman citizen who was affectionately known by Quartzsite locals as “Hi Jolly.”
Sagarika Bose/Flickr
The plan ultimately didn’t work out for the US Army, however, because many of the other other pack animals were spooked by the large creatures.
Robin J Phillips/Flickr
For example, there is an official monument at the state capitol in Phoenix, a city-sponsored one in Gilbert composed of a steel beam girder, a student-made sculpture in Tucson, and a remembrance garden version located in east Winslow.
Andrew Rollinger/Flickr
Todd Huffman/Flickr
Both of the Christmas-related towns are abandoned and Valentine had a population of 36 in 2000.
Dagny Gromer/Flickr
Every year the town decorates with twinkle lights, hosts parades, and other events to highlight the holiday.
Jason Eppink/Flickr
The location in Sedona is the only to have the turquoise as opposed to golden arches; the McDonald’s in Benson has a huge raptor located on premises; and the old Sierra Vista location was the first in the nation to have a drive-through window.
George/Flickr
Brian Indrelunas/Flickr
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