Tonopah, Census-designated place in western Maricopa County, Arizona.
Tonopah is a rural settlement in the desert west of Phoenix in Maricopa County, stretching across a large area with scattered homes. The community sits along Interstate 10 and contains around 2,600 housing units within its territory.
The settlement began as Lone Peak and later established a post office under postmaster John Beauchamp, whose house ruins mark the early days of habitation. The area eventually developed into the community known today.
The area holds archaeological evidence of Hohokam, Patayan, and Yavapai peoples who gathered resources from this land before modern settlement.
The area is sparsely populated with homes spread far apart, so having a vehicle is essential to move around and access different sections. Sturdy footwear is helpful if you want to explore the flat desert landscape on foot.
A major nuclear power plant operates near Tonopah and generates an enormous amount of electricity for the region. This facility ranks among the largest power production sources in the country despite being somewhat removed from the community itself.
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