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CHRONOLOGY
700 A.D. – Hohokam Native Americans arrive in the Cave Creek area. They developed extensive irrigation systems and trade routes.
1870s -Naming of Cave Creek – Either named for cave on Cave Creek stream shown on old military map or named for Edward G. Cave, “Old Rackensack”, early miner
1870 – Colonel George Stoneman built a military road between Ft. McDowell and Ft. Whipple. Cave Creek a cavalry remount station along the route.
1873 – Last cavalry – Apache skirmish in the area. The Cave Creek wagon road built from Phoenix to Cave Creek
1873 – Miners moved in – 144 square mile area known as Cave Creek Mining District established -First recorded gold mine, called the Continental
1880s – Cattle ranchers settled in Cave Creek area
1920s – Land south of Black Mountain opened for homesteading and Tuberculosis cabins built in Cave Creek
1928 – Spur Cross Dude Ranch established
1935 – 1944 – Construction of Bartlett and Horseshoe Dams
1946 – Rancho Manana Dude Ranch established. Electricity and telephones came to the area. (Dial phones and street lights in 1955)
1950s – Cave Creek Mothers’ Club produced first newspaper and paid for a kindergarten teacher at the new school house
1952 – Cave Creek Road paved all the way from Phoenix
1959 – 1960 – Development of Carefree getting underway and the Sundial was completed
1970 – Cave Creek Museum opened
1985 – Carefree incorporated as a town
1986 – Cave Creek incorporated as a town
2000 – Preservation of Spur Cross Ranch as a conservation area
2002 – Renovation of Carefree Town Center
