Pima Arizona
Pima is located on the Gila River in north-central Graham County, Arizona. It was first named Smithville from the Mormon leader Jesse Smith. Mormon settlers laid out the town site at the time they were seeking a canal site in Gila Valley. In the 1820’s and 1830’s, Gila River was one of the main waterways followed by fur trappers and mountain men. The town was later renamed Pima after an Indian tribe and it was incorporated in 1916. The land beside the river became the Gila Trail which the “Army of the West” headed by General Stephen W. Kearny headed in 1846. The route going to Pima coming from Tucson is east on Interstate 10 to U.S. 191 then turn north to Safford then northwest on U.S. 70. Pima can be reached from Phoenix via U.S. 60 to Globe then U.S. 70.
Pima presently has a population of 2,075 as of 2004 U.S. Census. It sits at an elevation of 2,846 feet. The predominant activity in Graham County area is agriculture that includes Pima as well. Pima serves the surrounding agricultural areas being a farming trade center. And it is also fast becoming a popular retirement community. Recreational activities such as hiking, camping and taking picnics are also gaining popularity especially in Pinaleno Mountains and the 10,720 foot Mt. Graham.
