The History of Scottsdale Land
Long before Scottsdale became home to some of the most beautiful gated communities in Arizona, a few western cowboys purchased the land to set up farms and ranch homes.
As the story goes, Chaplain Winfield Scott purchased Section 23 for $2.50 per acre on July 2, 1888. Section 23, now a prime piece of downtown Scottsdale real estate, makes up the 640 acres of land encompassed by Indian School, Scottsdale, Chaparral and Hayden roads.
Here’s a little-known fact: A man by the name of Morris Goldwater nearly became the first owner of Section 23 before Scott made his purchase. Goldwater made a down payment on this piece of land in 1885 around the time the Arizona Canal was finished for that section. However, Goldwater canceled his intent on the land later that same year, making it available to the Scotts just a few short years down the road.
Scott’s brother George farmed the land while Scott was traveling with the Army. When Scott retired, he became a permanent resident in the town that would eventually be named after him. He ended up selling off bits and pieces of the land, keeping a couple hundred acres for his farm and home. In 1908, Scott sold the remaining land to Charles Miller.
In 1890, Albert Utley bought the undeveloped section of land located just south of Scott’s ranch for $1,000. He worked with Winfield Scott on plans for the land site. Utley wanted to create a bedroom community for people who worked in Phoenix and originally wanted to call the town Orangedale. However the area was officially named Scotts-dale and is now located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.
Other ranchers and farmers began claiming land for sale north of Scottsdale after about 1900. DC Ranch/Browns Ranch became the biggest cattle operation in the area. It was established in 1916 by E.O. Brown and partners, eventually reaching more than 44,000 acres in size.
After World War II, many residents and people from other states saw great opportunity in Scottsdale real estate. Since then, the area has continued to develop into the sophisticated place of art and culture that it is today.
So next time you’re driving through some beautiful Arizona gated communities, remember that places like Sereno Canyon wouldn’t exist without the help of early cowboys like Chaplain Winfield Scott.
Tags: arizona gated communities, gated communities in arizona, land for sale scottsdale az, sereno canyon
