Peoria is about 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix. It was established as an agricultural community in 1886. Peoria became a modern city with rapid growth after it was incorporated on June 7, 1954.
Peoria, Arizona was created when William J. Murphy (a former Union Army soldier) worked as the head of construction on Arizona Canal. Murphy saw the potential for agriculture and returned home to Peoria, Illinois after the completion of the canal in 1885. In November 1886, he recruited four families from Illinois to move west. The County Recorder received the official plat map on March 27, 1897. He named the settlement "Murphy's Hometown".
Peoria is home to the Lake Pleasant Regional Park. It's a true oasis of nature in the desert. The park covers 23,000 acres and has two marinas. This is a popular spot to boat, fish, kayak, camp, or even scuba dive!
Peoria residents have access to 34 neighborhood parks, three pools, two large community parks, five dog parks and more than 26 miles of multi-use trails.
Peoria is one of eight Arizona cities that span multiple counties. (Far North Peoria actually stretches into Yavapai.
Peoria was named after Peoria Illinois. The city was established in Arizona by four families hailing from Illinois.
Peoria's original plan included east and west streets. They ran from south to north and included Madison, Jefferson and Washington as well as Jackson, Lincoln, Grant and Jackson. The streets running north and south were, from west to east: Almond (present-day 85th Avenue), Peach [present-day 84th Avenue], Orange (present-day 83rd Avenue), Vine (present-day 82nd Avenue) and Walnut (present-day 81st Avenue). The plot ran from Peoria and 85th Avenue to Monroe Street.
On August 4, 1888, the Territory of Peoria was given a post office in its name. The Territory of Peoria served a population of 27. Maricopa County supervisors determined the boundaries of School district Eleven. It covered 49 square miles (130 km2) and the first class took place in an unoccupied brick store. Washington Street was facing north until Peoria's first school, a one-room structure that was built in 1891.
Peoria's first library was housed at the women's club from 1920 to 1975 when it moved to Peoria City hall. In 1975, the Peoria Center of the Performing Arts was created and is currently located. The library eventually moved into the Peoria Civic Complex. The City of Peoria received this clubhouse from the Women's Club in May 1959.
Peoria's identity is now more connected to resort- and leisure living than it was in the past. This is due to the migration of this type of lifestyle from the northeast Valley into Peoria. Peoria's economic plans focus on establishing the Loop 303 freeway corridor for industrial, commercial, and mixed development use, with less emphasis on traditional residential development.