The early settlers of Peoria enthusiastically headed west because of William J. Murphy's glowing reports of a soon to be reclaimed desert agricultural Mecca, which would be springing forth as which would be springing forth as the result of the construction of the 40 mile Arizona Canal.  The first families set up residence and named their new community after their hometown of Peoria, Illinois. 

The 1888 establishment of the Peoria Post Office gave the little town's chosen name "legal status".  Sometime between 1887 and 1897, two other residents of Peoria, Illinois, Delos S. Brown and K.B. Greenhut, obtained four sections of land from the government and their original plat of the townsite of Peoria, Arizona was filed on March, 24 1897.

Until recently, Peoria appeared on maps as a patchwork of parcels sandwiched between Glendale to the east and Sun City to the west.  A rapidly growing population and recent annexations have made Peoria one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. 

One of the best school districts in the state, affordable housing, and close proximity to
downtown Phoenix are largely responsible for the influx of new residents. 

While many Peoria residents may work within the city limits, the majority are employed in neighboring Phoenix or Glendale.  

The continuing growth is managed through the city's Master Plan.  The city has attracted commercial, light industrial, medical and tourism development and has a strong economic base.

Some of Peoria’s attractions include:  Peoria Sports Complex  - The nation's largest Spring Training facility, home of the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners.  

The facility boosts a 10,000 seat lighted stadium and 12 practice fields.  March spring training offers 30 straight games of baseball.  The Arizona Fall Baseball League features the Peoria Javelinas and the Sun Cities Solar Sox, October through the first weekend in December. 

The stadium also hosts a full slate of activities throughout the year, such as other baseball leagues (Korean, Japanese, and Little League), concerts, car shows, and trade shows.

Cowtown, Arizona - An Authentic 1800's western ghost town is in Peoria featuring live gunfights, blacksmith shop, cantina, saloon, general store, horseback riding, Hummer and Bronco Tours, paintball combat zone and a museum. 

Originally built by Hollywood stuntman Ron Nix, Cowtown has been used as a western set for television shows and movies such as Deadman starring Johnny Depp. 

Peoria also offers a wide range of community facilities including a community center, swimming pools, new library, 16 parks, three golf courses and 14 tennis courts.

The Challenger Learning Center of Arizona was the first approved site in the Southwest and joins 29 other centers operating in the U.S. and Canada.

 

The Center is located at Sunrise Mountain High School in the Peoria Unified School District, North of Union Hills and adjacent Loop 101.  Visit an exciting hands-on space lab where students and educators team up for a space flight simulation.

Peoria is also the home of Lake Pleasant, a 24,000 acre water wonderland surrounded by beautiful high desert. 

The park features hiking trails, campgrounds, a 10,000 acre lake, birdwatching, the Desert Princess Dinner Cruise and the Pleasant Harbor Marina that features boat ramps, a convenience store, deli, harbor slips and dry storage. 

The marina also rents a wide variety of water craft ranging from party boats to jet skis, power boats and fishing boats.