Gilbert

Gilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, spreading across roughly 633 square kilometers (244 square miles) and comprising residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and green spaces. The town borders Chandler to the west, Mesa to the north, and the Gila River Indian Community to the south.

William Gilbert provided land in 1902 for a rail line linking Phoenix to Florence, laying the foundation for the settlement. The location became known as the Hay Shipping Capital of the World in the 1920s before suburban development spread rapidly from the 1980s onward.

The annual November parade celebrates agriculture that long shaped life here and remains visible in many street names. Families line the roads while hay-themed floats and local groups pass by, recalling the time when cotton and hay governed daily routines.

Visitors can reach neighboring towns and key points in the Phoenix metropolitan area through Valley Metro bus services. The transit system runs regularly throughout the day, making it possible to move around without a car.

The place was a major hub for hay in the 1920s, with large quantities shipped to other regions. Today the names of old streets and crossroads recall that time when agriculture set the rhythm of community life.