Snowflake, Arizona

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Snowflake is a town in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. It was founded in 1878 by William Jordan Flake and Erastus Snow, Mormon pioneers and colonizers.^[1] According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 4,958.^[2]

Snowflake is nestled in the cedar tree and grass-covered foothills of Arizona's White Mountains, which gradually give way to the windswept Colorado Plateau just north of town. Snowflake is 25 miles south of Interstate 40 (formerly Route 66) via Highway 77.

Snowflake features a quaint, historic downtown district with original pioneer era homes open for tours. One of these homes on Main Street has been converted into a charming Bed and Breakfast.

Recently, the town and surrounding area have experienced steady growth, primarily to the east, west and south. A 27-hole golf course has been established near the Snowflake Arizona Temple, built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002. To the east of town, a substantial community of individuals suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity has grown since the 1980s.

Snowflake experiences a four season climate with a warm (sometimes hot) Summer, mild Autumn, mild to cold Winter and cool, windy Spring. Typical high temperatures hover around 90 during July and August and 30 to 55 in December/January.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History of the name
4 Events
5 Education
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Geography

Snowflake is located at 34°30′40″N, 110°4′59″W (34.511187, -110.082974)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 79.9 km² (30.9 mi²). 79.8 km² (30.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.16%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,460 people, 1,312 households, and 1,070 families residing in the town. The population density was 55.9/km² (144.8/mi²). There were 1,536 housing units at an average density of 19.2/km² (49.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.24% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 6.93% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.00% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races. 8.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,312 households out of which 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.37 and the average family size was 3.81.

In the town the population was spread out with 37.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,439, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $30,517 versus $21,164 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,391. About 10.4% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History of the name

The name comes not from snowflakes, though it does snow, but from the names of William J. Flake, who first settled in the area by order of Brigham Young, and Erastus Snow, the Latter Day Saint apostle in charge of the colonization of Arizona. Keeping with its history, most of the residents of Snowflake belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[edit] Events

Snowflake celebrates "Pioneer Days" the weekend on or before the 24th of July each year, the date that Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley. Having settled in Utah, the town's founders were sent by Brigham Young to establish a settlement in Northern Arizona. A rodeo, parade, barbecue and other festivities mark the July 24th celebration. In early December, the town celebrates the holiday scene evoked by its name with Twelve Days of Christmas. Concerts, sleigh rides and other events are held each evening from December 1st to the 12th. Main street is decked in poinsettias and brightly lit white Snowflakes for the event. Usually, the real thing covers the ground as well.

The logging crew involved in the Travis Walton abduction incident lived in this town, and several events surrounding that incident happened here. These events were dramatized in the 1993 film Fire in the Sky.

[edit] Education

Snowflake is a part of the Snowflake Unified School District. Highland Primary School, Snowflake Intermediate School, and Snowflake High School (Lobos) serve Snowflake. Snowflake is the "Home of the Lobos"

[edit] References

Bernstein, Fred (2005). "In One Arizona Community, an Oasis in a Toxic World". The New York Times, July 10.
References to Snowflake are made in the movies "Saints and Soldiers" and "Brigham City". Both are 'Mormon' movies.