Tortilla Flat, Arizona
Encyclopedia
Tortilla Flat is a small unincorporated community
in far eastern Maricopa County
, Arizona
, United States
. It is located in the central part of the state, northeast of Apache Junction
. It is the last surviving stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail
. According to the Gross Management Department of Arizona's main U.S. Post Office
in Phoenix
, Tortilla Flat is presumed to be Arizona's smallest official "community" having a U.S. Post Office and voter's precinct. The town has a population of 6. Tortilla Flat can be reached by vehicles on State Route 88, via Apache Junction
.
Originally a camping ground for the prospector
s who searched for gold
in the Superstition Mountains
in the mid-to-late 19th century, Tortilla Flat was later a freight camp for the construction of Theodore Roosevelt Dam
. From this time (1904) on, Tortilla Flat has had a small (<100 people) but continuous population. A flood in 1942 badly damaged the town, resulting in many residents moving away. Today Tortilla Flat is made up primarily of a small store and restaurant, which were constructed in the late 1980s after a fire consumed the existing store and restaurant on the same site. Several hiking trails into the Superstition Mountains begin near Tortilla Flat.
The name "Tortilla Flat" originated from the cowboys who used to drive cattle from Globe
to Phoenix. While in Phoenix, rancher Mr. Cline and his fellow cowboys celebrated their sale, and, having a little too much to drink, forgot to get supplies while they were in town. They ended up with only flour to make tortillas when they camped at the flat and were stranded.
Forest Service records show Tonto National Forest
being established in 1905 as kind of a "package deal" with the Salt River Reclamation Project
. The Forest Service was needed to manage the land and protect watershed for the dams because cattle grazing had denuded the land. The freight camp at Tortilla Flat, as well as the other camps along the road to the dam, were, therefore, on U.S. Forest Service land. Folks who decided to make Tortilla Flat their permanent residence kept up the lease on the land in later years whenever it came due.
Currently, the town of Tortilla Flat is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Crimes Division concerning illegal activities conducted from their Federal Post Office. The post office has been in existence for almost 90 years and is a main attraction for all who visit. Owners have verified they knew illicit packages from Europe and Asia were being received by management and owners using names from local people and personalities since January of 2010 and refused to do anything about it. A local resident, whose name was being used, has challenged the town and is moving forward with bringing charges against all individuals and entities involved. As of October 2011 depositions revealed all accusations are true and a trial is pending. Management verified they know of "many names" that were being used over the past 2 years for the purpose of illicit activities and never reported it the US Post Office.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in far eastern Maricopa County
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located in the central part of the state, northeast of Apache Junction
Apache Junction, Arizona
Apache Junction is a city in Maricopa and Pinal counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city was 35,840, most of whom lived in Pinal County....
. It is the last surviving stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail
Apache Trail
The Apache Trail in Arizona was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains....
. According to the Gross Management Department of Arizona's main U.S. Post Office
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Tortilla Flat is presumed to be Arizona's smallest official "community" having a U.S. Post Office and voter's precinct. The town has a population of 6. Tortilla Flat can be reached by vehicles on State Route 88, via Apache Junction
Apache Junction, Arizona
Apache Junction is a city in Maricopa and Pinal counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city was 35,840, most of whom lived in Pinal County....
.
Originally a camping ground for the prospector
Prospecting
Prospecting is the physical search for minerals, fossils, precious metals or mineral specimens, and is also known as fossicking.Prospecting is a small-scale form of mineral exploration which is an organised, large scale effort undertaken by mineral resource companies to find commercially viable ore...
s who searched for gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in the Superstition Mountains
Superstition Mountains
The Superstition Mountains , popularly referred to as "The Superstitions", are a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area...
in the mid-to-late 19th century, Tortilla Flat was later a freight camp for the construction of Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Theodore Roosevelt Dam is a dam on the Salt River located northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. The dam is high and forms Theodore Roosevelt Lake as it impounds the Salt River. Originally built between 1905 and 1911, the dam was renovated and expanded in 1989-1996. The dam is named after then-President...
. From this time (1904) on, Tortilla Flat has had a small (<100 people) but continuous population. A flood in 1942 badly damaged the town, resulting in many residents moving away. Today Tortilla Flat is made up primarily of a small store and restaurant, which were constructed in the late 1980s after a fire consumed the existing store and restaurant on the same site. Several hiking trails into the Superstition Mountains begin near Tortilla Flat.
History
Based on available records Tortilla Flat got its start because of the road construction to Roosevelt Dam in 1904. There was a need for a stagecoach stop for freight haulers on their way to the construction site at Roosevelt Dam and Tortilla Flat served that purpose. Shortly following the construction of the road, Roosevelt Dam became a big tourist attraction. At that point Tortilla Flat was a stage stop for tourists and mail carriers through the 1930s.The name "Tortilla Flat" originated from the cowboys who used to drive cattle from Globe
Globe, Arizona
Globe has an arid climate, characterized by hot summers and moderate to warm winters. Globe's arid climate is somewhat tempered by its elevation, however, leading to slightly cooler temperatures and slightly more precipitation than Phoenix or Yuma....
to Phoenix. While in Phoenix, rancher Mr. Cline and his fellow cowboys celebrated their sale, and, having a little too much to drink, forgot to get supplies while they were in town. They ended up with only flour to make tortillas when they camped at the flat and were stranded.
Forest Service records show Tonto National Forest
Tonto National Forest
The Tonto National Forest, encompassing 2,873,200 acres , is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. The Tonto National Forest has diverse scenery, with elevations ranging from 1,400 feet in the Sonoran Desert to 7,400 feet...
being established in 1905 as kind of a "package deal" with the Salt River Reclamation Project
Salt River Project
The Salt River Project is the umbrella name for two separate entities: the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, an agency of the state of Arizona that serves as an electrical utility for the Phoenix metropolitan area, and the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association, a...
. The Forest Service was needed to manage the land and protect watershed for the dams because cattle grazing had denuded the land. The freight camp at Tortilla Flat, as well as the other camps along the road to the dam, were, therefore, on U.S. Forest Service land. Folks who decided to make Tortilla Flat their permanent residence kept up the lease on the land in later years whenever it came due.
Currently, the town of Tortilla Flat is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Crimes Division concerning illegal activities conducted from their Federal Post Office. The post office has been in existence for almost 90 years and is a main attraction for all who visit. Owners have verified they knew illicit packages from Europe and Asia were being received by management and owners using names from local people and personalities since January of 2010 and refused to do anything about it. A local resident, whose name was being used, has challenged the town and is moving forward with bringing charges against all individuals and entities involved. As of October 2011 depositions revealed all accusations are true and a trial is pending. Management verified they know of "many names" that were being used over the past 2 years for the purpose of illicit activities and never reported it the US Post Office.