Matthie, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matthie, Arizona
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 Matthie, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Matthie, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Maricopa |
| Elevation | 2,320 ft (710 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (MST) |
| Area code(s) | 928 |
| FIPS code | 04-45040 |
| GNIS feature ID | 24509 |
Matthie is a small, quiet place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It's known as a "populated place," which means people live there, but it's not a big city or town with its own local government. Matthie sits about 2,320 feet (710 meters) above sea level.
Contents
Matthie's Railroad Past
Matthie has an interesting history tied to trains and railroads.
Early Train Connections
In 1933, Matthie had a train station. It was part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad line. This station helped connect the city of Phoenix to other important train routes. These routes went towards places like Prescott and Ash Fork. However, by 1934, there were talks about stopping this train service.
A Turnaround Point
By 1950, Matthie became a key spot for trains. It was the closest place where trains could turn around near the town of Wickenburg. Matthie is located about five miles west of Wickenburg. This made it an important stop for train operations in the area.
New Owners for the Tracks
Many years later, in 1991, the Arizona and California Railroad Company bought the train tracks that ended at Matthie. This meant a new company took over the railway lines in this historic area.
A Home for Wildlife
Matthie also played a special role in protecting local animals.
A Refuge for Animals
During the 1950s, the Matthie railroad junction was named a wildlife refuge. This was done by the state department. Railroad engineers had set up drinking troughs for animals. These troughs helped local wildlife find water. Because of this, the area became a safe haven for many creatures.
