RoadyGoat plays music like this when you drive through Glendale. It's free on iPhone, and full songs play through Apple Music.
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Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Glendale.
Peoria, Arizona, might conjure images of sun-drenched citrus groves and the dry bed of the New River shimmering in the heat, a landscape that once lured settlers from its namesake in Illinois. That pioneer spirit still resonates, but today, Peoria is known as much for its community feel as its agricultural past.
Peoria, Arizona, owes its name to a group of settlers who arrived in 1886, longing for the fertile farmlands they'd left behind in Peoria, Illinois. They saw promise in the Arizona soil, hoping the desert could blossom into something resembling their Midwestern home. At 1,145 feet above sea level, the new Peoria offered more than just arable land; it presented sweeping vistas of the surrounding desert, a stark contrast to the flat Illinois prairie. While citrus groves and agriculture did initially take root, establishing Peoria's early identity, the dream of replicating the Illinois landscape never fully materialized. The New River, usually a dry wash snaking through the landscape, became a harsh reminder of the desert's power. The devastating flood of 1905 reshaped the town and prompted significant efforts to control the river’s unpredictable nature. Despite these challenges, Peoria cultivated its own unique identity, growing into a comfortable, community-focused suburb. It’s a place where the "Peoria Sunrise" cocktail was invented, a vibrant blend of tequila, grenadine, and orange juice mirroring the desert sky.
Youngtown, Arizona, a small island of tranquility amidst the bustling Phoenix metropolitan area, owes its existence to a specific vision: a haven for retirees. Del Webb, a name synonymous with planned communities, saw the potential in this stretch of desert in the 1950s. Irrigation was key. Without it, Webb's dream of a self-contained town catering to active seniors wouldn't have been possible. The town's very name, "Youngtown," speaks to the lifestyle it promised: not just retirement, but a vibrant and engaging chapter of life. The deliberate focus on retirees shaped the local economy. Healthcare facilities and related services became essential, reflecting the needs of the community. While the Phoenix Open golf tournament and the Arizona Cardinals' success brought regional attention, Youngtown maintained its distinct identity as a place of quiet leisure. The drier air, a consequence of its higher elevation, also likely contributed to its appeal for those seeking relief from more humid climates.
One of the finest collections of Native American art and culture in the world, founded in Phoenix in 1929, with a permanent exhibit on the legacy of Indian boarding schools.
38 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Glendale has long been a place where the past and the future meet. The city, dipping slightly in elevation at just over a thousand feet, still echoes with the sounds of its agricultural roots, even as it embraces the…
Pull over here for a second – this unassuming building was once the center of Glendale's cultural life, thanks to a group of forward-thinking women. It all started in 1901 when a group of women organized the “Self…
Pull over here! This unassuming spot was once the heart of the Manistee Ranch, a thriving agricultural oasis in the late 19th century. Herbert W. Hamilton, hailing all the way from Wisconsin, founded the ranch in 1897.…
Peoria, Arizona, might conjure images of sun-drenched citrus groves and the dry bed of the New River shimmering in the heat, a landscape that once lured settlers from its namesake in Illinois. That pioneer spirit still…
Sun City, Arizona, owes its existence to a confluence of factors, not least of which is its agreeable geography. At 1,100 feet above sea level, the community enjoys mild winters and captivating desert vistas, an obvious…
This unassuming spot marks a place of both opportunity and profound loss. For nearly a century, the Phoenix Indian School stood here, a boarding school for Native American children from across the Southwest. Beginning…
Youngtown, Arizona, a small island of tranquility amidst the bustling Phoenix metropolitan area, owes its existence to a specific vision: a haven for retirees. Del Webb, a name synonymous with planned communities, saw…
Ever wonder what Phoenix looked like before it became a sprawling metropolis? This neighborhood offers a glimpse into the past. From the late 1920s through the late 1940s, the F. Q. Story neighborhood blossomed,…
One of the finest collections of Native American art and culture in the world, founded in Phoenix in 1929, with a permanent exhibit on the legacy of Indian boarding schools.
Pull over for a minute – you might just spot a ghost at the Hotel San Carlos! This place has a long history, and some say, a few permanent residents who never checked out. The Hotel San Carlos opened its doors in 1928,…
Pull over for a second. This is the Orpheum Theatre, and it’s more than just a pretty building. It was once a major stop on the vaudeville circuit, bringing some serious star power to Phoenix. Originally built in 1929,…
Tolleson's story is etched in the Arizona soil, a narrative of agriculture, perseverance, and adaptation. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad acted as a catalyst, transforming the area into a crucial…
Phoenix wouldn't exist without irrigation. The Hohokam people, who lived here centuries ago, were master irrigators, building canals that allowed them to farm in the arid desert. Modern Phoenix built upon that legacy.…
Anthem, Arizona, a master-planned community carved from the desert north of Phoenix, exudes a feeling of comfortable suburban peace. Though a relatively new community, established in 1999 by Del Webb, Anthem has seen…
Phoenix's story is one of rebirth and resilience, mirroring its namesake. Long before it became a major metropolis, the Hohokam people thrived here, mastering irrigation to cultivate the arid landscape. Their intricate…
Ahwatukee, nestled at a slightly lower elevation than Scottsdale, carries a name that hints at a deeper history than its modern, suburban feel suggests. "House of Dreams," it's called, a Crow language derivation…
Chris Bianco moved from the Bronx to Phoenix and opened a tiny pizzeria inside a grocery store in 1988. By the late 1990s, food writers were calling it the best pizza in America. The Rosa — red onion, Parmigiano,…
Ever wonder about Phoenix's industrial roots? Check out the F. S. Baird Machine Shop right here. Built in 1928 by Kathryn Baird, she and her son Arthur opened a machine shop in 1929. Arthur moved on in 1931, and other…
The land around El Mirage, Arizona, is unmistakably Sonoran Desert. Flat plains stretch out in every direction, punctuated by creosote bushes and the occasional saguaro. The elevation, a little over a thousand feet,…
Sun City West is a place where the desert meets a certain kind of dream. Del Webb's vision of planned retirement living took root here, transforming the landscape in the late 20th century. Today, golf carts hum along…
Imagine leaving your mark on the world, literally etched in stone. That's what happened here at Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, where ancient peoples left a stunning gallery of rock art. Over 1500 petroglyphs, created…
Surprise, Arizona, wasn't always the bustling suburb it is today. Originally, it was a small farming community carved out of the desert landscape. Agriculture helped establish the town, a testament to human ingenuity in…
Litchfield Park, Arizona, a place synonymous with manicured greens and a certain quiet luxury, might not immediately strike one as a hotbed of celebrity origins. But look a little closer, beyond the meticulously planned…
Avondale's story is tied to the land itself. Being situated in the fertile valley around the Agua Fria River initially made it an agricultural hub, a natural extension of Phoenix's farming needs. The warmer temperatures…
This one-story adobe building served as a community hub in Laveen, Arizona since 1940. Built during the Works Progress Administration era, the Laveen School Auditorium, or Building A, provided a much-needed space for…
Imagine a thriving desert community centuries before Phoenix even existed, right here where you're driving! This is S'edav Va'aki, a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Hohokam people. The Hohokam inhabited this…
Goodyear, Arizona, owes its existence to a very specific need: tires. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, seeking a reliable source of long-staple cotton for tire production, established a farm here in 1917, and the…
Waddell, Arizona, offers a quiet contrast to the bustle of Phoenix, a place where the air smells faintly of alfalfa and cotton. Although unincorporated, its identity is tied to the land and the legacy of early settlers…
Arizona's first governor is buried in a white pyramid in the middle of Papago Park. George W. P. Hunt, a seven-time governor of Arizona, built this tomb in 1931 for his wife, Helen. He joined her there after his death…
Scottsdale, Arizona, a place where the desert wind whispers tales of reinvention. Its story begins with Winfield Scott, whose name now graces the city, arriving in 1888 and setting in motion a transformation from arid…
Pull over for a moment and imagine the stories buried beneath your feet. This is Double Butte Cemetery, the final resting place for many of Tempe's earliest pioneers. Founded in 1888, the cemetery sits at the base of…
Pull over for a minute! This little red schoolhouse isn't just cute, it's a window into Scottsdale's past. Back in 1909, Scottsdale needed a bigger school than the old one-room building. So, they built this red brick…
Imagine having tea where a Supreme Court Justice once lived! This is the Sandra Day O'Connor House, moved here from its original location in Paradise Valley. Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S.…
Pull over here for a second. You're looking at the oldest continuously occupied structure in the entire Valley of the Sun. That's right, this is the C.T. Hayden House, or La Casa Vieja, and it's been standing since…
Tempe's story begins with a river, specifically the Salt River. In the 1870s, Charles Trumbull Hayden recognized the strategic importance of a reliable river crossing, establishing Hayden's Ferry. This ferry was more…
Prepare to be amazed! This stunning auditorium, ASU Gammage, is one of the last public works designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright originally conceived the design as an opera house for Baghdad in 1957.…
This isn't just another college building; it's the heart of Arizona State University, Old Main, standing since before Arizona was even a state! Built in 1898, Old Main was the centerpiece of the Arizona Territorial…
Wittmann, Arizona, offers a sense of escape, a quietude that contrasts sharply with the bustle of Phoenix, just a short drive southeast. The air, thin and dry at over 1,500 feet, allows for expansive views across the…
Longer stories, research notes, photos, videos, and where the road goes next. Free, and no iPhone needed.
