Gilbert is a township located in Maricopa County, Arizona. The community is in the Phoenix metropolitan area and is located just southeast of Phoenix. Gilbert encompasses roughly 197 km2 or 76 square miles. It has made the fast transformation in recent years from being an agriculture based community to a suburban centre that is economically diverse.
The city of Gilbert has increased it population fairly dramatically during the last couple of decades. The 1980 population of Gilbert was 5,717 inhabitants, growing to a huge 208,453 people, based on 2010 census numbers. The community has become a very educated and highly affluent area supporting high-wage jobs in life science and health services, renewable and clean energy and high technology. It has also developed into the regional and corporate headquarters and offices within many advanced business services.
The city owes its beginning to William "Bobby" Gilbert. He provided land in 1902 to the Arizona Eastern Railway. This allowed them to build a rail line between Florence and Phoenix Arizona. During 1912, because of the actions of the forces of Pancho Villa, numerous Mormans who had fled the Morman colonies in Mexico chose to settle in the city of Gilbert. In 1915, they started holding church meetings at the Gilbert Elementary School and by the year 1918 they had organized themselves to become the Gilbert Ward.
During much of the early 20th century, the city of Gilbert was known as the "Hay Capital of the World". The economy of the city has continued to depend on agriculture in recent years. On par with the population growth within the town, the city of Gilbert has rapidly transitioned to its existing status as being a modern suburb in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Each and every year in late November, Gilbert is home to an annual "Gilbert Days" celebration. This 3 day festival is in observance of the full paving of Gilbert Road all over the town. Other well-known events in the city consist of the Raparian Institute, the Hale Centre Theatre, Cave Creek, Deer Valley Rock Art Centre, the Heritage District, the Freestone Park and the Gilbert Historical Museum.
There are various recreational facilities in the city including 2 community centers, 14 parks and 2 municipal swimming pools. One of the parks has been dedicated as a skateboard park.
The Gilbert community is diverse and thriving, offer an abundance of genuine quality of life. Gilbert offers a lively variety of experiences meant to showcase its natural beauty as well as its cultural diversity and modern and historical amenities.
The Heritage District within the downtown core of Gilbert features an award winning theatre, a distinctive shopping area and various dining opportunities. One more well-known attraction is the Gilbert Historical Museum. The Higley Center for the Performing Arts brings an artistic and theatrical flair to the city of Gilbert as well. Gilbert provides open-air entertainment pavilions and shopping such as SanTan Village which is complete with live concerts and nationally recognized restaurants.