QUARTZSITE

Quartzsite is west of Phoenix at the junction of Interstate 10 and US 95, near the Colorado River.  The community has a Sonoran Desert setting.  The nearby Kofa, New Water and Plomosa Mountains provide topographic relief while the Colorado River lies only 17 miles to the west.  Quartzsite was established in 1867 on the site of old Fort Tyson, a privately built structure constructed in 1856 by Charles Tyson for protection against Indian raids. Named Quartzsite because quartz was occasionally found in the area, the name evolved to Quartzsite through an error in spelling. The Town is currently is 130 sq. miles.

Basic Information

Founded:    1867

Incorporated: 1989

Elevation: 870

Located in La Paz County

Nearby Highways: Hwy I-10, US 95, SR95

Distance to major cities:

Phoenix: 125 mi

Tucson: 296 mi

Yuma: 80 mi

Palm Springs: 129 mi

Population                                            1990                                                2000                                                    2006

Principal Economic Activities

Tourism is the major contributor to Quartzsite's economy.  The retail trade and services sectors benefit from the visitors who reside at the numerous (ore than 70) mobile home parks in the vicinity between October and March.  Nine major gem, mineral, and 15 general swap-meeting shows are popular tourist attractions, attracting approximately 1.5 million people annually.

Scenic Attractions

A rock hunter's paradise surrounds Quartzsite with agates, limonite cubes, gold and quartz being just a few.  In town, the Hi Jolly Monument honors the Greek & Syrian camel driver Hadji Ali, who took part in an unsuccessful 1850's U.S. War Department attempt to use camels as beasts of burden in the desert. To the south rise the Kofa Mountains. Historic and scenic areas include the Spanish Wall, Crystal Hill, Tyson Tanks, and Tyson Wells Museum.  South in the Kofa Mountains is Palm Canyon, a tight gorge and home of Arizona's only native palms, reached by a steep but rewarding climb.  Farther south is Castle Dome peak.  There are many points of interest including historical sites, day trips and many off road ATV trails.

Community Facilities

Quartzsite offers a broad range of community facilities including an 80-acre town park with water-feature and skateboard park, ball field, volleyball and basketball, playgrounds, horse-shoe pits, and remote control flying site; Celia's Rainbow Gardens, a senior citizens hall, recreation centers, a public library and museum, one 27-hole par 3 desert golf course.  The Quartzsite sewer and water system is in the process of being upgraded on an on-going basis.

Educational Institutions        Public            Private

Elementary                                    Y                        N

High School                                   Y                        N

Financial

Number of Banks:  1

Government

Quartzsite Fire District: Staffed Town/Local Fire Department 

Law Enforcement: Town of Quartzsite Police Department

Medical

Quartzsite has three medical centers, year-round ambulance services, pharmacy and medevac heliport.

Hotel & Lodging

Number of Rooms: 72

Meeting Rooms:  4

Capacity of Largest Facility:  1,000

Utilities

Cable Internet Service Provider:  No

Digital Switching Station: No

Internet Service Provider: Yes

Satellite: Yes

Fiber Optics: Yes

TAXES

Property Tax Rate

NOTE: Tax rate per $100 assessed valuation

Sales Tax 2006

City/Town        2.5%

County             1.0%

State                6.60%

Weather

For additional information contact:

Town of Quartzsite

PO Box 2812/465 N. Plymouth Ave.

Quartzsite, AZ  85346

928-927-4333