In 1891, Dr. Alexander John Chandler, the first veterinary surgeon for the territory of Arizona, bought 80 acres of land from the federal government south of Mesa in the Salt River Valley. Dr. Chandler studied the relatively new science of irrigation engineering and was instrumental in building an early system of canals in what was then an arid desert.

The town then consisted of three wooden shacks -- the town site office, a dining hall and the Morrison Grocery. There was also a billboard marking the site of the elegant future Hotel San Marcos.

Dr. Chandler had an ambitious plan that was well ahead of his time. He envisioned a landscaped central park that would be surrounded by businesses. The walkways in front of the buildings would be covered by a trellis-like roof, supported by colonnades. Deed restrictions required land owners to build on their land within one year.

The City of Chandler's history has a largely agricultural basis,   In 1954, the year of Dr. Chandler's death, Chandler became a city. It has experienced terrific growth ever since.
Since 1980 it has grown in population by more than 150,000. Just as significant as the population growth is Chandler's economic diversification, adding manufacturing and technology components to the agricultural economy.

Chandler has become one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.  In recent years, Chandler's borders have been expanded and the population has boomed.

The economic base of Chandler has been diversified. While agriculture is still somewhat of a vital element, Chandler now enjoys a strong manufacturing and electronics sector.

The downtown storefronts have been restored to a modern version of their original turn-of-the-century look, and the plaza has been redesigned and named after the City's founder. The Center for the Arts, new parks, restaurants and retail centers mark an exciting future.

Family festivals such as the Ostrich Festival, and a host of other annual events, make Chandler a popular draw for travelers from all across the nation. And the citizens of Chandler enjoy a quality of life unsurpassed in the Valley today. It certainly appears that Dr. Chandler knew what he was doing the day he dreamed of this jewel in the desert.

The Chandler Center for the Arts, located in Historic Downtown Chandler, is a world-class facility that showcases many talents, from The London City Opera to Jay Leno as well as The Nutcracker. Performances by Rita Moreno, James Earl Jones, the Bacon Brothers, jazz artist Irvin Mayfield, the Phoenix Boys Choir, the Amazing Kreskin and Gaelic Storm (the Irish group from the film Titanic) are just a handful of the featured performer.

The Ostrich festival is a community family event featuring live ostrich races and ostrich-themed activities, national and regional entertainment, upscale arts and crafts, marketplace, Saturday morning parade, carnival, 130-foot bungee tower, spectacular food, an interactive kids area, and much more.

The City of Chandler has a colorful and long standing tradition of Ostrich Ranching. Chandler and Maricopa County led the nation in raising ostriches for their stylish and expensive plumes. To celebrate the city's rich history as well as provide a first-class community event, The Chandler Chamber of Commerce created the Ostrich Festival in 1989.

Historic Downtown Chandler is full of unique shops, restaurants and galleries to meet all tastes. And while you're there, take some time to browse through the antique shops at Market Square, just a short walk away on Wall Street. This quaint garden setting is filled with antique shops, a homemade fudge store, an old-fashioned restaurant and much, much more.