# Springerville, Arizona > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Springerville,_Arizona > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Springerville,_Arizona.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springerville%2C_Arizona > Source revision: 1354130513 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Springerville** (Navajo: *Tsé Noodǫ́ǫ́z*) is a town in [Apache County](/source/Apache_County,_Arizona), [Arizona](/source/Arizona), United States, within the [White Mountains](/source/White_Mountains_(Arizona)). Its postal [ZIP Code](/source/ZIP_Code) is 85938. As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), Springerville had a population of 1,717.[2] Springerville sits at an elevation of 6,907 feet (2,105 m) above sea level. Along with its neighbor [Eagar](/source/Eagar,_Arizona), the communities make up the place known as Round Valley, which is in the central-eastern part of Arizona close to the [New Mexico](/source/New_Mexico) border. ## History The town that grew around Henry Springer's trading post was officially given its name on May 10, 1876.[3] Before that time it had gone by names such as [Colorado Chiquito](/source/Little_Colorado_River), Milligan Settlement, and Valle Redondo (Round Valley). [Outlaw Cowboy](/source/Cochise_County_Cowboys) [Ike Clanton](/source/Ike_Clanton), who was present at the [Gunfight at the O.K. Corral](/source/Gunfight_at_the_O.K._Corral), was shot dead in Springerville on June 1, 1887, by detective Jonas V. Brighton when he resisted arrest on charges of [cattle rustling](/source/Cattle_raiding).[4][5] Springerville is the home of Arizona's *[Madonna of the Trail](/source/Madonna_of_the_Trail)* statue, unveiled on September 29, 1928.[6] The town was incorporated in 1948. In 1951, Twentieth Century Fox filmed an adaptation of [Fred Gipson's](/source/Fred_Gipson) novel *The Home Place* titled *[Return of the Texan](/source/Return_of_the_Texan)* at several locations in and around Springerville.[7][8] In June 2011, most of the town was evacuated due to [a nearby wildfire](/source/Wallow_Fire). Some stayed and met with each other, alongside residents of Eagar in the round valley dome.[9] Further information: [Rudd Creek Pueblo](/source/Rudd_Creek_Pueblo) ## Geography Springerville is located at [34°8′11″N 109°16′45″W](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=34_8_11_N_109_16_45_W) (34.136342, -109.279227).[10] According to the [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau), the town has a total area of 11.7 square miles (30 km2), of which 11.6 square miles (30 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 1.4%, is water.[11] Springerville has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen *Csb*). ## Demographics ### 2020 census As of the [2020 census](/source/2020_United_States_census), Springerville had a population of 1,717. The median age was 42.6 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males age 18 and over.[12][13] 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[14] There were 746 households in Springerville, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.8% were married-couple households, 23.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12] There were 881 housing units, of which 15.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.6%.[12] Racial composition as of the 2020 census[13] Race Number Percent White 1,272 74.1% Black or African American 2 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native 86 5.0% Asian 6 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 152 8.9% Two or more races 199 11.6% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 453 26.4% ### 2000 census As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 1,972 people, 753 households, and 499 families residing in the town. The population density was 170.8 inhabitants per square mile (65.9 /km2). There were 896 housing units at an average density of 77.6 inhabitants per square mile (30.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 79.5% [White](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 0.2% [Black](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)) or [African American](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 6.5% [Native American](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 0.4% [Asian](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 0.1% [Pacific Islander](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), 10.2% from [other races](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)), and 3.0% from two or more races. 25.2% of the population were [Hispanic](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)) or [Latino](/source/Race_(United_States_Census)) of any race. There were 753 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.18. In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males. The median income for a household in the town was $30,769, and the median income for a family was $36,331. Males had a median income of $32,313 versus $19,519 for females. The [per capita income](/source/Per_capita_income) for the town was $13,830. About 14.7% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the [poverty line](/source/Poverty_line), including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 26.1% of those age 65 or over. ## Education The town is served by the [Round Valley Unified School District](/source/Round_Valley_Unified_School_District). The school's mascot is the [elk](/source/Elk) and its school colors are black and gold. The [St. Johns](/source/St._Johns,_Apache_County,_Arizona) Redskins are the school's biggest rival. Round Valley Primary School is located in the town and serves the town. Round Valley Intermediate School, Round Valley Middle School, and [Round Valley High School](/source/Round_Valley_High_School) serve the town, but are in nearby [Eagar](/source/Eagar,_Arizona). In addition, White Mountain Academy, a K–12 charter school, is located in Eagar. The high school's football stadium, The Round Valley Ensphere located in Eagar, is the eighth biggest [geodesic dome](/source/Geodesic_dome) in the world with a diameter of 440 feet / 134 m. The school board voted to give the Dome a pinkish looking color, and it was completed in 1992. It was used as a shelter for evacuees from the [Rodeo–Chediski Fire](/source/Rodeo%E2%80%93Chediski_Fire) in 2002. Round Valley is the only high school in the world to have a domed stadium. The first Springerville School House was dedicated September 3, 1884. In 1969, the Springerville, Eagar, [Vernon](/source/Vernon,_Arizona), [Nutrioso](/source/Nutrioso,_Arizona), [Greer](/source/Greer,_Arizona), and [Colter](/source/Colter,_Arizona) Schools consolidated with each other to form the Round Valley Unified School District. ## Transportation The [Springerville Municipal Airport](/source/Springerville_Municipal_Airport) is a town-owned public-use airport located one [nautical mile](/source/Nautical_mile) (1.85 km) west of the [central business district](/source/Central_business_district) of Springerville.[16] [BNSF Railway](/source/BNSF_Railway) provides freight service to the Springerville generating station on its Springerville subdivision.[17] The Town of Springerville provides transportation for low-income residents to [Show Low](/source/Show_Low,_Arizona) twice per month.[18] ## Economy [Tucson Electric Power](/source/Tucson_Electric_Power) operates the [Springerville Generating Station](/source/Springerville_Generating_Station) in Springerville.[19] ## Attractions [Casa Malpaís](/source/Casa_Malpa%C3%ADs) is located near Springerville. It is a nationally recognized archeological site.[20] The name *Casa Malpais* means "House built from Malapai", which describes the type volcanic vesicular basalt from which the ancient village was constructed. It is thought that the name was given to the village by early [Basque](/source/Basque_people) sheepherders. The [Springerville volcanic field](/source/Springerville_volcanic_field) contains over 400 [volcanoes](/source/Volcano) within a 50-mile (80-kilometre) radius of Springerville, making it the third largest volcanic field in the continental United States. The first visit to Casa Malpais by a professional [anthropologist](/source/Anthropologist) was in 1883, when [Frank Cushing](/source/Frank_Cushing), living at Zuni, visited a site at "El Valle Redondo on the Colorado Chiquito", and was impressed by what he termed "the fissure type [pueblo](/source/Pueblo)" he found there. In his journal he sketched dry masonry, bridging fissures, upon which the pueblo is constructed. Unique and unusual features characterize the site. The Great [Kiva](/source/Kiva), painstakingly constructed of volcanic rock, is the centerpiece. A steep [basalt](/source/Basalt) staircase set into a crevice of the high red cliff wall leads to the top of the mesa. Both the [Hopi](/source/Hopi) and [Zuni](/source/Zuni_people) people still consider Casa Malpais a sacred ancestral place. The town contains one of the twelve *[Madonna of the Trail](/source/Madonna_of_the_Trail)* monuments created by sculptor [August Leimbach](/source/August_Leimbach).[21] The town is close to the [Apache–Sitgreaves National Forests](/source/Apache%E2%80%93Sitgreaves_National_Forests), which run along the [Mogollon Rim](/source/Mogollon_Rim). It is also close to the [Sunrise Ski Resort](/source/Sunrise_Park_Resort). The El Rio opened in 1915, making it the oldest movie theater in Arizona. It was originally called the Apache Theater, until it was changed in 1937 to the El Rio.[22] ## Notable people - [Mark Gastineau](/source/Mark_Gastineau), former [football](/source/American_football) player for the [New York Jets](/source/New_York_Jets) - [Alex Madrid](/source/Alex_Madrid), baseball player for the [Milwaukee Brewers](/source/Milwaukee_Brewers) and [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) - [Billie Maxwell](/source/Billie_Maxwell), credited with being the first female singer to record country music[23] - [Jerry D. Thompson](/source/Jerry_D._Thompson), historian of the [American Southwest](/source/American_Southwest), was born in Springerville. - [Daniel I. J. Thornton](/source/Daniel_I._J._Thornton), the [governor of Colorado](/source/List_of_governors_of_Colorado) from 1951 to 1955, operated a ranch near Springerville in the late 1930s. ## Quotes - "I was the one who had Apache county separated from Yavapai. Everything was very high at that time, and I used to haul my goods from [Albuquerque](/source/Albuquerque,_New_Mexico) to live on. I was hauling goods one time from Henry Springer's store in Albuquerque, and I told Henry Springer he had better come into Round Valley, as it was called then, and put in a store; that the people were coming in and we would name the postoffice and little village after him, Springerville, and that was old Henry Springer." - ——James G. H. Colter from [History of Arizona, Volume VI](http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/hav6/body.1_div.14.html) ## See also - [Transfer Station Fire](/source/Transfer_Station_Fire) - [Wallow Fire](/source/Wallow_Fire) ## References 1. ["2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A68990&in=state%3A04). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2026. 1. Becker, Jack A (2005). ["Round Valley As It Was"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070206021352/http://www.roundvalleyaz.com/page1.html). roundvalleyaz.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.roundvalleyaz.com/page1.html) on February 6, 2007. 1. ["Apache County Critic"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070206030413/http://www.roundvalleyaz.com/acc1.html). June 1887. Archived from [the original](http://www.roundvalleyaz.com/acc1.html) on February 6, 2007. 1. ["Joseph Ike Clanton"](http://clantongang.com/oldwest/gangike.html) 1. *The Madonna of the Trail Monument" NSDAR Memorial to the Pioneer Mothers of the Covered Wagon Days,* pamphlet revised July 2002 1. ["Return of the Texan"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045083/). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)* 1. ["Tucson Daily Citizen from Tucson, Arizona on August 9, 1951 · Page 22"](https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/10657827/). August 9, 1951. 1. [Arizona Wildfire Threatens Electrical Grid](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/10/us/10wildfire.html?ref=us), *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, June 9, 2011. 1. ["US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990"](https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011. 1. ["Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Springerville town, Arizona"](https://archive.today/20200212180656/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0468990). U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from [the original](http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0468990) on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2013. 1. ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A68990&in=state%3A04). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2026. 1. ["2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A68990&in=state%3A04). *United States Census Bureau*. 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2026. 1. ["2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)"](https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A68990&in=state%3A04). *United States Census Bureau*. 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2026. 1. ["U.S. Census website"](https://www.census.gov). [United States Census Bureau](/source/United_States_Census_Bureau). Retrieved January 31, 2008. 1. . Federal Aviation Administration. Effective July 29, 2010. 1. ["Not Found"](https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2021/03/state-rail-plan-update.pdf). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210410051703/https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2021/03/state-rail-plan-update.pdf) 2021-04-10 at the Wayback Machine. 1. [https://www.springervilleaz.gov/communityservices](https://www.springervilleaz.gov/communityservices) 1. ["SRP: Springerville Generating Station"](https://www.srpnet.com/about/stations/springerville.aspx) 1. [Arizona Travel and Tours](http://www.delange.org/CasaMalpais1/CasaMalpais.htm) delange.org 1. ["Madonna of the Trail Monuments - Arizona"](https://web.archive.org/web/20020814173321/http://www.route40.net/history/madonnas/az.shtml). Archived from [the original](http://www.route40.net/history/madonnas/az.shtml) on August 14, 2002. Retrieved June 4, 2006. 1. ["El Rio Theatre | el Rio Theatre"](http://www.elriotheatre.com/el-rio-theatre.html) 1. ["Amoeba Music | the World's Largest Independent Record Store"](http://www.amoeba.com/blog/2009/03/eric-s-blog/billie-maxwell-the-cow-girl-singer.html) ## External links - [Town of Springerville official website](http://www.springervilleaz.gov/) - [Round Valley History](https://web.archive.org/web/20060512071858/http://www.roundvalleyaz.com/) - [Springerville News](http://www.topix.net/city/springerville-az) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190719170011/https://www.topix.net/city/springerville-az) July 19, 2019 at the Wayback Machine - ["Springerville, Arizona"](http://www.city-data.com/city/Springerville-Arizona.html), at City-Data.com - [Springerville & Eagar Scenic Attractions](http://www.wmonline.com/cities/rvscenic.htm) - [Madonna of the Trail | August Leimbach website](https://web.archive.org/web/20110714020047/http://www.madonnaofthetrail.com/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Springerville, Arizona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springerville%2C_Arizona) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springerville%2C_Arizona?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.