Heritage District The Train Depot - Gilbert, AZ
Posted by: bluesnote
N 33° 21.188 W 111° 47.392
12S E 426508 N 3690714
One of many historical markers in downtown Gilbert.
Waymark Code: WMYJ69
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 06/19/2018
Views: 2
The plaque says, "In 1902 a gentleman named Murphy wanted to build his Phoenix and Eastern Railroad from Phoenix to ore deposits near Winkleman, AZ. Mr. Murphy purchased rights of way along the planned line. When he came to our area, he bought the land from William "Bobby" Gilbert with the promise that he would build a spur line by the mile road. They called the spur line The Gilbert Spur after Bobby, and later the mile Road was named Gilbert Road. In 1905 the company build a depot called the Gilbert Depot. As businesses began moving to the area, people began calling themselves Gilbert citizens. The town incorporated in 1920 and was officially named Gilbert.
By 1929 between 1,000 and 1,500 carloads of hay were being shipping from Gilbert annually. Because of all the Alfalfa hay being shipped in 1918 during WWI, Gilbert became known as the "hay shipping capital of the world".
The depot function until 1965. The town wished to purchase the depot from the Southern Pacific Railroad, but the company would only offer to lease the deport for a five-year period. That was not acceptable to the town, so in 1969 Southern Pacific Tore the building down."
Marker Name: Heritage District The Train Depot
Type of history commemorated: Place
County: Maricopa
Name of any agency/ agencies setting marker: Gilbert
Year placed: 2012
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Visit Instructions:
To claim a log for this waymark, some proof of visit is required. This proof can be a simple gps photo, a photo with your mascot (a signature item that you use for photographs, similar to using a gps) or a answer to any question that the person who posted the waymark has asked. A gps photo will always be accepted as proof of visit regardless of any specific question a waymark may ask.