Why, Arizona facts for kids
Why is a small community in Pima County, Arizona. It is not officially a city or town, but a rural area where people live.
Why is located in southern Arizona. It is close to the western border of the Tohono Oʼodham Indian Reservation. It is also just north of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a special place with unique desert plants.
The community is about 30 miles (48 km) north of the Mexican border. The towns of Lukeville, Arizona in the U.S. and Sonoyta in Mexico are right at the border nearby. Why is also about 10 miles (16 km) south of Ajo, Arizona. In 2010, about 167 people lived in Why.
How Did Why Get Its Name?
The name "Why" comes from how two main roads met there. These roads were State Route 85 and State Route 86. They originally formed a "Y" shape where they crossed.
At the time, a state law said that all town names had to have at least three letters. So, the people who founded the town chose "Why" instead of just "Y."
Later, the Arizona Department of Transportation changed the intersection. They did this to make it safer for cars. Now, the two highways meet in a regular "T" shape south of the original spot. Why is often mentioned on lists of places with unusual names.
What Services Are in Why?
Why is not part of a school district itself. This means it does not have its own schools. The closest school district for children in Why is the Ajo Unified School District.
See also
In Spanish: Why (Arizona) para niños
