Summerhaven, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Summerhaven, Arizona
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The Summerhaven general store
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Location of Summerhaven in Pima County and the state of Arizona
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 Summerhaven, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Summerhaven, Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Pima |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.60 sq mi (11.93 km2) |
| • Land | 4.60 sq mi (11.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,700 ft (2,300 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 71 |
| • Density | 15.42/sq mi (5.95/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| ZIP Code |
85619
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| Area code | 520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 34939 |
| FIPS code | 04-70175 |
Summerhaven is a small community located on Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is north of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, United States. In 2020, about 71 people lived there permanently. Summerhaven is very high up, around 7,700 feet (2,347 meters) above sea level. You can reach Summerhaven by driving on the Catalina Highway from Tucson. The drive from the bottom of the mountains is about 24.5 miles (39.4 km).
Contents
History of Summerhaven
Early Days and Military Camp
White Anglo-Americans first used the Summerhaven area in the 1870s and 1880s. The U.S. Army from Fort Lowell in Tucson set up a military camp there. This camp helped protect against the Apache people.
First Buildings and a High Golf Course
One of the oldest cabins on the mountain was a log cabin built in 1912. It was part of the Ransier School in Carter Canyon. This school was run by Lydia Ransier and 'Auntie' Broadbent.
Did you know Summerhaven once had the highest golf course in the world? A man named F.E.A. Kimball built a six-hole golf course. It was about 7,800 feet (2,377 meters) above sea level. Two trout streams ran through the course, which covered 50 acres.
Geography of Summerhaven
Summerhaven is nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains. It is surrounded by many tall pine trees. The total area of Summerhaven is about 4.6 square miles (11.9 square kilometers). Almost all of this area is land.
Climate in Summerhaven
Weather and Seasons
Because Summerhaven is so high up, it has different weather than the desert below. Summers are warm and pleasant, while winters are cool and snowy. On average, Summerhaven gets about 65 inches (165 cm) of snow each year.
Windstorm Impact
In May 2010, a strong windstorm hit Summerhaven. It caused a lot of damage to the forest around the community. Some hiking trails were badly damaged, but people worked hard to fix them. The climate here is like a subtropical highland climate.
Population of Summerhaven
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 71 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, the official count of people living in Summerhaven was 40. This number only includes people who lived there full-time on the day of the census. It does not include many people who own cabins and visit only part-time or during certain seasons.
Population Makeup
According to the 2010 census, the people living in Summerhaven were:
- White: 75%
- Native American: 15%
- Asian: 10%
Things to Do in Summerhaven
Popular Tourist Spot
Summerhaven is a very popular place for tourists to visit. There are several small shops that visitors enjoy. These include the Mount Lemmon General Store and The Cookie Cabin. The Cookie Cabin is famous for its homemade cookies and pizzas.
Escape the Heat and Enjoy the Snow
In the winter, people from lower areas travel to Summerhaven to play in the snow. The Catalina Highway is usually open for this. In the summer, many people visit to escape the heat of the desert. Summerhaven is much cooler, usually 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 17 degrees Celsius) cooler than Tucson. This makes it a very comfortable place to be when it's hot below.
Mount Lemmon Marathon
In October 2010, the first Mount Lemmon Marathon took place. Nearly 800 runners finished the race. The marathon started near the beginning of the Catalina Highway and went all the way up to Summerhaven.
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
Just outside Summerhaven is the Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. This is a special place because it is the southernmost ski area in the continental United States.
Aspen Fire Disaster
In the summer of 2003, a large wildfire called the Aspen Fire hit Summerhaven. This fire destroyed more than 250 homes in the community. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano visited to see the damage. Many officials helped survey the huge loss. After the fire, people in Tucson organized "Lemmon Aid" to help rebuild Summerhaven.
Community Services
Summerhaven has a general store and a few places to eat. However, there are no gas stations or car repair shops. The Mount Lemmon Fire Department has a station nearby. They provide fire and emergency medical services to the community.
Education for Kids
Summerhaven is not part of a regular school district. The closest school district is the Tanque Verde Unified School District. The Pima County School Superintendent helps arrange schooling for students from kindergarten to 12th grade who live in areas without school districts. However, they do not provide transportation from the Tanque Verde school district to Summerhaven.
Images for kids
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The Summerhaven general store
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Location of Summerhaven in Pima County and the state of Arizona
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Burnt pine trees, snow, and a cabin among the stark landscape after the Aspen Fire in 2003
See also
In Spanish: Summerhaven (Arizona) para niños
