A Colorful History of Chandler

One could say that Chandler was founded by ostrich farmers. That’s because the early 1900s brought the big bird in big numbers to farms around what would become Chandler. This strange farming experiment sold feathers for ladies’ hats.

About the same time, Dr. Alexander Chandler bought a significant amount of land. He had many big dreams, among them were to create a resort and to create a town.

Like any good resort-town-to-be, they built a golf course. It was to be the first all-grass golf course in sandy Arizona. When it opened, it made history without realizing it.

Likewise, the historic Hotel San Marcos is still in use today. This resort became the go-to place for movie stars in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. It has been restored to its original beauty and is part of a larger resort complex.

Chandler was still a small town when Tex Earnhardt moved here as a teenager. His father opened a gas station. That’s how Tex’s interest in cars became a plan to start a car dealership in 1951. At age 21, he earned a Ford franchise, beginning what would become the largest family-owned dealership group in Arizona.

In 1990, the population had grown to 90,000. In just ten years, it would double as aerospace, technology firms, internet startups and others would establish headquarters or a major presence in Chandler.

Fast Facts About Chandler

In 2010, Chandler Arizona was practically a different place than it had been in 1990. The census showed 236,123 residents. That was a growth of 202 percent since the 2000 census.

The number jumped by almost 40,000 in ten years, according to the 2020 Census. By that time, there were at least 275,987 residents.

The town is often rated as one of the top ten places to live in Arizona. The active downtown and a large tech industry sector are indicators of its bustling economy. Financial companies and aerospace innovators also make Chandler their home.

Notable employers range from PayPal to Intel. The presence of so many big employers in Chandler helps reduce commute times for its residents. The U.S. Census reported the average commute is 24.9 minutes.

The city continues to build a reputation through national ranking of many different kinds. It is in the top five of the AreaVibes livability study and Best Digital Cities (Center for Digital Government). In 2016, it was ranked #2 among the 10 Best Places to Raise a Family. Other recognition ranks it highly in Arizona as one of the Best Places to Live, Best Suburbs to Live In, Best for Young Professionals, and Most Diverse.

Favorite Places to Go

Outdoor activities play a prominent role in the Chandler lifestyle. There’s always golf at one of the many places to play throughout the area. Just to name a few, this includes the golf courses of Bear Creek, Ironwood, Lone Tree, Ocotillo, San Marcos, Sunbird, and Springfield.

As part of the Greater Phoenix area, the region is home to ten ballfield complexes dedicated to spring training for 15 Major League Baseball teams. From Chandler, the closest Cactus League stadiums are in Tempe, Mesa and Scottsdale.

Drivers can take 87 to Hohokam Stadium or head over on 202 to Tempe Diablo Stadium near I-10. If you head up 101, you can easily reach Sloan Park, Scottsdale Stadium, and Salt River Fields.

When you want to go hiking or see birds and other animals in the natural world, you can head to the Riparian Preserve or Estrella Mountain Park. At South Mountain Park, visitors can stay in their cars and drive through a complicated, but beautiful landscape.

There are many scenic drives throughout the area as you venture all the way to Sedona, Flagstaff, or even the Grand Canyon. In fact, you can go in almost in any direction and find natural wonders, great beauty, and even historical architecture of the Hohokum and other older cultures that once lived in Arizona.