According to gradphysics.com, Graham County is located in southeastern Arizona, situated between the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and Safford. It has an estimated population of 37,220 people as of 2019. The county seat is located in Safford, the largest city in Graham County.
The county was established in 1881 from what used to be part of Apache County and was named after James B. Graham, a prominent figure in Arizona’s early history. The area was first settled by ranchers and miners who sought to capitalize on the abundance of natural resources found throughout the county.
Today, Graham County is known for its diverse attractions and activities that appeal to visitors from all over the world. Popular attractions include Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area, which offers camping and nature trails; Roper Lake State Park, which features hot springs and a lake; and Mt. Graham International Observatory, which offers some of the best views of the night sky in Arizona.
The county also boasts a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, horseback riding and more. For those looking for a more relaxed experience there are numerous golf courses as well as other attractions like museums and art galleries to explore.
Graham County has produced several famous people including singer Linda Ronstadt who grew up here; actor/director John Ford who filmed several movies here; former NFL player Pat Tillman; former US Senator Barry Goldwater; rock musician Alice Cooper; comedian Steve Martin; actor/director Clint Eastwood; author Tony Hillerman among many others who have made their mark on history here in Graham County.
Graham County is an ideal destination for anyone looking for an adventure or just a peaceful getaway surrounded by stunning natural beauty. With its diverse attractions, outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage it’s no wonder why so many people have been drawn to this area over the years.
Climate and weather in Graham County, Arizona
According to ehuacom.com, Graham County, Arizona has a semi-arid desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. The area experiences an average of over 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest places in the United States. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 110°F (43°C) during the day and drop to around 70°F (21°C) at night. Winter temperatures are usually in the low 50s (10-12°C) during the day and can drop below freezing at night.
The county receives an average annual precipitation between 10-15 inches (25-38 cm), which is much lower than other parts of Arizona due to its location in a rain shadow caused by nearby mountain ranges. Most of this precipitation occurs from July through September in the form of monsoonal thunderstorms, which often bring sudden downpours. The rest of the year is generally dry with very little precipitation, though occasional winter storms can bring light snowfall to higher elevations in the county.
Strong winds are common in Graham County due to its location on a large plateau surrounded by mountains on all sides. Wind speeds can reach up to 30 mph (48 km/h) during storms and gusts may exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). These winds can cause dust storms that reduce visibility and make driving hazardous at times.
Graham County has a mild climate with plenty of sunshine throughout most of the year and minimal precipitation compared to other areas of Arizona. This makes it an ideal destination for those looking for outdoor recreation without extreme weather conditions or excessive heat or cold temperatures.
Transportation in Graham County, Arizona
Graham County, Arizona is served by a variety of transportation options for travelers. The county is served by U.S. Route 70, which runs east-west through the county from Safford to Thatcher and is the primary highway in the area. The Arizona Department of Transportation also operates a number of state highways throughout Graham County, including State Route 266 and State Route 191.
Public transportation in Graham County is provided by Eastern Arizona Transit (EAT). EAT operates a number of fixed routes throughout the county that run on weekdays and Saturdays. These routes cover most of the major towns and cities in Graham County, including Safford, Thatcher, Pima, and Fort Thomas.
For those traveling to or from larger cities such as Tucson or Phoenix, there are several airports located within an hour’s drive of Graham County. These include Tucson International Airport (TUS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG). There are also several smaller regional airports in nearby towns such as Show Low Regional Airport (SOW) and Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport (INW).
In addition to air travel, Amtrak serves Graham County with its “Sunset Limited” train line that runs between Los Angeles and New Orleans via Tucson, AZ. This train stops twice daily at the Safford Amtrak station for passengers traveling between points east or west on this route.
Graham County has a variety of transportation options available for travelers both within the county and beyond its borders. Whether you’re looking to explore all that this area has to offer or simply need to get from one place to another quickly and easily, you’ll find plenty of ways to get around here.
Cities and towns in Graham County, Arizona
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, Graham County is located in southeastern Arizona and is home to a number of cities and towns. The county seat is Safford, which is the largest city in the county and serves as the economic hub for the area. Other towns in Graham County include Thatcher, Pima, Central, Solomon, Fort Thomas, and San Jose.
Safford is located at the junction of U.S. Route 70 and State Route 266. It’s home to a number of businesses, including restaurants, shops, banks, and government offices. It also has several hospitals and healthcare centers as well as a library and recreational facilities.
Thatcher lies to the south of Safford on U.S. Route 70 and is known for its agricultural production. It’s home to Eastern Arizona College as well as several churches and a number of parks and other recreational facilities.
Pima lies between Thatcher and Safford on U.S. Route 70/State Route 266 with access to Interstate 10 via State Route 191 (the Pima Freeway). It’s home to several businesses including stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, auto shops, banks, post offices, churches, schools and parks.
Central lies just off U.S.Route 70 near Solomon with access to Interstate 10 via State Route 191 (the Central Freeway). The town has several churches as well as a post office and some small businesses such as convenience stores and gas stations.
Solomon lies just off U.S.Route 70 near Central with access to Interstate 10 via State Route 191 (the Solomon Freeway). The town has several churches,a post office,and some small businesses such as convenience stores,gas stations,and auto repair shops.
Fort Thomas lies east of Safford on US-70/State Route 266 with access to Interstate 10 via State Route 191 (the Fort Thomas Freeway). The town features several churches,a post office,and some small businesses such as convenience stores,gas stations,auto repair shops,and other services.
San Jose lies on US-70/State Routes 266 east of Fort Thomas with access to Interstate 10 via State Road 191 (the San Jose Freeway). The town features several churches,a post office,and some small businesses such as convenience stores, gas stations,auto repair shops, and other services.