Eleven Mile Corner, Arizona facts for kids
Eleven Mile Corner, Arizona is a place that used to be its own small community. Today, it's mostly considered part of the city of Casa Grande, and they even share the same zip code.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Eleven Mile Corner" comes from its location. It was about 11 miles east of Casa Grande, 11 miles north of Eloy, Arizona, and 11 miles southwest of Coolidge, Arizona. Imagine a perfect corner where three towns were all about 11 miles away!
How Eleven Mile Corner Began
This area started growing in the early 1940s. A new main road, State Highway 87, was built nearby. Also, an older road (now called Florence Boulevard) that connected Casa Grande, Coolidge, and Florence was improved. Then, another road (now 11 Mile Corner Road) was built. It connected Eloy to the O'Odam Tash Indian reservation. The spot where these two important roads met became known as Eleven Mile Corner.
A Busy Past
Eleven Mile Corner was once a very busy place, especially because of cotton.
Cotton and Community
Two of the biggest cotton processing plants, called cotton gins, were built here. One gin handled short cotton fibers, and the other handled long cotton fibers. Both types of cotton grew a lot in the area. Many homes were built for the workers, and larger houses for landowners and farm managers.
For many years, there was a popular tavern for cowboys and farm bosses. There was also a small gas station, a Post Office, and a general store where people could buy everyday items. A union hall for farm workers and a school for migrant children were also important parts of the community.
Fun and Development
The Pinal County Fairgrounds are located just south of the main intersection. There was even a dirt track for car racing, which must have been exciting!
Later, in the 1970s, a new neighborhood called Tierra Grande was built. It included a golf course. A resort hotel was planned, but it was never finished.
Changes Over Time
Like many other communities in Pinal County, Eleven Mile Corner faced challenges. When the cotton market became less strong, the area didn't grow as much. There were a few attempts to develop the area, but a big economic downturn between 2009 and 2012 really affected the community.
What's There Now?
The old Yandell's New Camp Store and Post Office used to be the community's post office, but it's not open anymore. Today, a John Deere dealership called Stotz Equipment is located nearby. The Mary C. O'Brian School, which once served children with special needs and immigrant children, has now grown to serve the entire community.
