Tolleson

Community Profile: Tolleson

TOLLESON, measuring about six square miles, is a self-contained community west of downtown Phoenix. Once dependent on agriculture, Tolleson today has a strong commercial and industrial base. The city has a stable population and a friendly reputation. A large percentage of the population is of Hispanic origin. W.G. Tolleson of South Carolina founded the town in 1912 on the site of an old stage station known as Ten Mile Store. One day he chartered a railroad train to bring potential buyers from Phoenix. Town lots sold for $50 and Tolleson gave a $5 gold piece rebate to all buyers who signed contracts. About 80 lots were sold during the one-day promotion.

The Phoenix International Raceway (PIR), to the southwest, features major auto races, including Copperworld Classic, Indy cars and NASCAR. Nearby are the 19,000-acre Estrella Mountain Regional Park with an 18-hole golf course, camping hiking, horseback-riding and picnicking; and the 18,000-seat Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion, featuring about 50 major shows annually. Phoenix metropolitan area attractions include professional sports; symphony and theatre; many museums and a zoo. South Mountain Park, the largest city park in the world, is nearby in south Phoenix. The Gila River Indian Reservation, to the south at the confluence of the Gila and Salt Rivers, is where Pima Indians have lived for at least 2,000 years.