FLORENCE

GATEWAY TO PASSAGE 15: Tortilla Mountains, PASSAGE 16: Gila River Canyons, and PASSAGE 17: Alamo Canyon

OVERVIEW

One of Arizona’s oldest towns, Florence was founded in 1866 and became the Pinal County seat of government in 1875. There are more than 140 historic buildings in Florence, many of which are constructed of adobe brick. The district contains a mix of architectural styles from early territorial times through the post–World War II building boom.

ELEVATION 1,490 feet

POPULATION 25,536

POST OFFICE 501 North Main Street, 85132, 520-868-5651

INTERNET VENUES Florence Community Library, 1000 South Willow Street, 520-868-8311

Groceries

Pinal Food Market, 90 North Main Street, 520-868-5703

Safeway, 3325 North Hunt Highway, 520-723-0179

Cafés and Restaurants

L & B Inn, 695 South Main Street, 520-868-9981, lbinn.com

Mt. Athos Restaurant & Café, 444 South Pinal Parkway, 520-868-0735, mountathoscafe.com

Lodging and Camping

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 240 West AZ 287, 520-868-9900

The Inn at Rancho Sonora, 9198 North AZ 79, 520-868-8000, ranchosonora.com: Courtyard rooms with Continental breakfast; pool and spa; casitas; RV park.

Feed and Tack

Western Feed & Supply, 255 South Main Street, 520-868-4141

Other Services

Laundry: Florence Coin-Op Laundry, 320 North Main Street

Massage: Essence of Life Massage Therapy, 26837 North Aladdin Road, 520-414-1589, essenceoflife.massagetherapy.com

Area Attractions

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, 1100 West Ruins Drive, 520-723-3172: A Hohokam farming community and “Great House” are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. One of the largest prehistoric structures ever built in North America, it was abandoned in 1450. The visitor center has a collection of artifacts from the site. The monument is 9 miles west of Florence.