Florence

Florence sits along the Gila River at 454 meters elevation, surrounded by cotton fields irrigated by the Ashurst-Hayden Dam. The small town serves as the administrative seat of Pinal County and hosts several government offices along its main street.

The settlement arose in 1866 and received its name after Governor Richard McCormick's sister. It developed into one of the first established places in Arizona Territory and later became the county administrative seat.

The town preserves several adobe buildings from pioneer days, including a land registry office from 1873 that ranks among the oldest administrative structures in the Gadsden Purchase area. These mud brick houses show early regional building techniques and now stand under heritage protection.

The small town lies on State Route 79, about an hour's drive southeast of Phoenix in the desert region of central Arizona. Visitors find free parking in the historic town center and can explore the main street on foot.

On the eastern town edge stands Arizona's largest correctional facility, encompassing several separate institutions on an expansive site. The Pinal VOTES Center manages elections for the entire county from here using modern electronic systems.

Location: Pinal County

Elevation above the sea: 454 m

Website: http://florenceaz.gov

GPS coordinates: 33.03861,-111.38694

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:31