One of the first groups to the area was the Peralta family.  The Peralta family traveled up from Mexico in 1840 and developed a rich gold mine in the Superstition Mountains on the eastern edge of Apache Junction.

Then in the 1870's Jacob Waltz, known as "the Dutchman" found a descendant of the Peralta family, and  supposedly located the mine.  The Dutchman claimed that the gold in the mine could be cut away with a knife it was so rich.

Needless to say, the Dutchman died in 1891 without revealing the mine's exact location.  Today the legend continues, along with the search for the Lost Dutchman's Mine in the Superstition Mountains. 

Apache Junction received its name due to its location. The town is at the western end of the Apache Trail, at the junction of U.S. Highway 60 and State Highway 88. The Apache Trail was created in 1905 as a route from Phoenix and Globe to the construction site of the Roosevelt Dam.

The route helped to transport needed supplies. This route also parallels the Apache Indian's ancient path through the canyons.

The Apache Trail has continued to be one to of the most scenic drives in Arizona.  During 1922 a traveling salesman named George Cleveland Curtis decided to make this area his home.

He chose this spot to sell sandwiches and water to those traveling along the highway outside of Phoenix. One year after arrival, Curtis filed a homestead claim and built the Apache Junction Inn.

By the 1950's others arrived in town and began living in RV parks and small houses. There were enough residents at this time to form a town. They wanted to call it Superstition City. However, the name could not be changed because it was noted as a historical site.

Thus, the name Apache Junction has stayed.  In 1978, Apache Junction was incorporated. Since then, the town has structured its growth and encouraged new businesses and homebuilders to come to the area.

Apache Junction has long been a popular destination of winter visitors because of its mild winter climate. The town has attracted as many as 300,000 winter visitors a year. Apache Junction is in Central Arizona.  It lies partially in Maricopa County and mostly in Pinal County.  

The Superstition Mountains stretch along the eastern side of town. Superstition Peak reaches 5,057 feet.  It is located at the juncture of U.S. Highway 60, U.S. Highway 89 and State Highway 88.

The town is most easily accessible by State Highway 60 (Superstition Freeway) from Phoenix. It is just 25 miles east of downtown Phoenix in the East Valley.  

The climate is Sonoran Desert.  The weather  is warm and dry most of  the year. There is often a trace of snow, sleet or hail each year. The average low temperature is 52.9 degrees F. The average high temperature is 84.9 degrees F.

Apache Junction continues to attract those who want to escape the cold winter months in other parts of the country.  The town sits at an elevation of 1,715 feet.  The southwest dry climate gives Apache Junction a summer high temperature of 104 degrees and winter low temperature of 35 degrees.  Apache Junction caters mostly to recreation seekers and retirees.

There are several attractions in and around Apache Junction. The Goldfield Ghost Town was a gold mine boomtown in the 1890's. Today the Mammoth Mine has been reconstructed, so that visitors can see what life was like back then.

Visitors will see mining pieces, antique shops, an underground mine and railroad equipment. The town has exhibits you can tour, along with carriage rides, a railroad train tour and gold panning.  

The Apache Greyhound Park `N Swap is great place to shop for bargains in the morning and enjoy dog races in the afternoon.  It is a day of fun. Apache Junction's location is ideal for outdoor activities.  

The famous Apache Trail is a winding road that takes drivers north out of town up to a series of lakes.  This drive is one of the more breathtaking drives in the state.   

The Lost Dutchman State Park is a 320-acre site with many activities available to its visitors.  The Superstition Mountains offer hiking and the quest for the Lost Dutchman's Gold.  Legend has it that the gold is hidden somewhere in the mountains.  There is a visitor's center, camping, picnicking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails at the park.