Think Arizona is all dirt, heat, and scorpions? Well, we might say that to scare away future residents but Arizona is actually one of the most incredible places to visit! Here are a few strange and amazing places and events that make our state stand out from all the others!
- The strange yet intriguing domes in Casa Grande.
monsta’s ink/Flickr It’s a strange sight when driving down the road and even more so if you choose to trespass to take a gander inside (note: don’t trespass). The Domes of Casa Grande are slowly deteriorating with peeling paint, holes, and plenty of graffiti. Fanciful stories abound regarding the domes’ origins and happenings, ranging from cults to human trafficking to ghostly occurrences. In reality, it was meant to be an electronics and manufacturing plant before the company’s loan defaulted.
- The otherworldly architecture at Arcosanti.
Cody/Flickr This experimental town was the brainchild of Italian architect Paolo Soleri and looks like something you would find in a sci-fi movie. The purpose of the project was to create a city that would be the perfect blend of architecture and ecology with minimal impact on the environment. It broke ground in 1970 and has been under construction since.
- Travelers can find surprises in even the most mundane areas.
Curtis Brown/Flickr Grabbing a burger at a fast food restaurant? You might encounter a private museum display or find random dinosaurs hanging out nearby.
- Visitors and residents are also pleasantly surprised by all the gorgeous landscapes.
Pedro Szekely/Flickr Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Chiricahua National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and Antelope Canyon are just a few of the places that draw big crowds. But add in the otherwise ordinary areas, like the Sonoran Desert with its saguaro cacti or the Mojave Desert with its Joshua trees, and you have one unique place.
- Now, on to something historical. The very first sheriff of Phoenix acquired the position after his two opponents were involved in a shootout.
Dave Conner/Flickr In 1871, Tom Barnum won an unopposed seat after one opponent died in the shootout and the other dropped out.
- Arizona nearly went to war with California over use of the Colorado River.
Greg lilly/Flickr For several short days in 1934, Arizona showed its refusal to let California hog use of the river by patrolling the waters with its first “navy” (in reality, two ferryboats), the Arizona National Guard, and a line of machine-gunners. The navy was also led by Nellie T. Bush, who was also the first woman licensed to operate ferryboats.
- Arizona’s towns have some pretty odd names.
Matt Long/Flickr Why, Nothing, Top-of-the-World, Three Way, Avenue B and C, Total Wreck, and Monkey’s Eyebrow are just a few that will make you scratch your head in wonder.
- And so do the streets.
Eric J/Flickr Bloody Basin Road, Bucket of Blood Street, Toughnut Street, Snob Hill Road, Why Worry Lane, Super Chicken Drive, and Sore Finger Road are just a few strange ones.
- There’s also this collection of strange rock art in Sundad.
dog.breath/Flickr Once the proposed home for a tuberculosis sanatorium in the 1920s, this area is all but abandoned. Today you’ll find the remains of building foundations, a vast desert, and some highly detailed rock art on the ground.
- While longtime residents claim its a bunch of nonsense, some people believe the entire town of Jerome is haunted.
Jessica Wait/Flickr The former mining town has survived into the 21st century on this claim, so maybe there’s something to it. There are stories about hotels, former brothels, houses, and other places teeming with ghosts.
- Let’s not forget the llama drama of 2015.
C Watts/Flickr in February 2015, two llamas escaped captivity and ran amok in Peoria and Sun City, evading capture for several hours. The event even made national news, booting cable news terrorism coverage for a while until someone finally lassoed them.
- Some of Arizona’s roadside attractions can get a little weird as well.
Jamie Bernstein/Flickr Have you ever had the chance to see The Thing? This attraction sitting just off Interstate 10 entices weary travelers with cold beverages and a mysterious…something. Just one dollar will grant you entrance into a strange collection and a chance to glance at The Thing.
Wondering what else makes Arizona weird? What about Arizonans? Read 11 Weird Things Only People From Arizona Do for a quick peek at our strange habits.
monsta’s ink/Flickr
It’s a strange sight when driving down the road and even more so if you choose to trespass to take a gander inside (note: don’t trespass). The Domes of Casa Grande are slowly deteriorating with peeling paint, holes, and plenty of graffiti. Fanciful stories abound regarding the domes’ origins and happenings, ranging from cults to human trafficking to ghostly occurrences. In reality, it was meant to be an electronics and manufacturing plant before the company’s loan defaulted.
Cody/Flickr
This experimental town was the brainchild of Italian architect Paolo Soleri and looks like something you would find in a sci-fi movie. The purpose of the project was to create a city that would be the perfect blend of architecture and ecology with minimal impact on the environment. It broke ground in 1970 and has been under construction since.
Curtis Brown/Flickr
Grabbing a burger at a fast food restaurant? You might encounter a private museum display or find random dinosaurs hanging out nearby.
Pedro Szekely/Flickr
Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Chiricahua National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and Antelope Canyon are just a few of the places that draw big crowds. But add in the otherwise ordinary areas, like the Sonoran Desert with its saguaro cacti or the Mojave Desert with its Joshua trees, and you have one unique place.
Dave Conner/Flickr
In 1871, Tom Barnum won an unopposed seat after one opponent died in the shootout and the other dropped out.
Greg lilly/Flickr
For several short days in 1934, Arizona showed its refusal to let California hog use of the river by patrolling the waters with its first “navy” (in reality, two ferryboats), the Arizona National Guard, and a line of machine-gunners. The navy was also led by Nellie T. Bush, who was also the first woman licensed to operate ferryboats.
Matt Long/Flickr
Why, Nothing, Top-of-the-World, Three Way, Avenue B and C, Total Wreck, and Monkey’s Eyebrow are just a few that will make you scratch your head in wonder.
Eric J/Flickr
Bloody Basin Road, Bucket of Blood Street, Toughnut Street, Snob Hill Road, Why Worry Lane, Super Chicken Drive, and Sore Finger Road are just a few strange ones.
dog.breath/Flickr
Once the proposed home for a tuberculosis sanatorium in the 1920s, this area is all but abandoned. Today you’ll find the remains of building foundations, a vast desert, and some highly detailed rock art on the ground.
Jessica Wait/Flickr
The former mining town has survived into the 21st century on this claim, so maybe there’s something to it. There are stories about hotels, former brothels, houses, and other places teeming with ghosts.
C Watts/Flickr
in February 2015, two llamas escaped captivity and ran amok in Peoria and Sun City, evading capture for several hours. The event even made national news, booting cable news terrorism coverage for a while until someone finally lassoed them.
Jamie Bernstein/Flickr
Have you ever had the chance to see The Thing? This attraction sitting just off Interstate 10 entices weary travelers with cold beverages and a mysterious…something. Just one dollar will grant you entrance into a strange collection and a chance to glance at The Thing.
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