Cave Creek was settled in 1870 by soldiers on horseback from Fort McDowell. In 1873, prospectors from the Bradshaw Mountains found gold in the town. The town is named for the cave next to the creek the town was founded on.[6][7]
Geography
Cave Creek is a town in the Sonoran Desert. It sits in northern Maricopa County on the northern edge of Paradise Valley, with mountains rising to the north that eventually connect with the New River Mountains and the Black Hills. It is 33 miles (53 km) north of downtown Phoenix, although the Phoenix city limits extend north to Cave Creek's southern border. The town is bordered to the east by the town of Carefree, to the west by unincorporated New River, and to the north by Tonto National Forest. Elephant Mountain rises to an elevation of 3,926 feet (1,197 m) in the northernmost part of the town. Local landmark Black Mountain, elevation 3,398 feet (1,036 m), is in the southern part of town on the border with Carefree.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Cave Creek has a total area of 37.7 square miles (98 km2), of which 0.008 square miles (0.021 km2), or 0.02%, are listed as water.[2] Cave Creek flows through the western side of the town southward into Phoenix, where it disappears into the Salt River valley.
In 2000, the state of Arizona, Maricopa County, and the town of Cave Creek bought Spur Cross Ranch, a 2,154-acre (8.72 km2) tract of Sonoran desert just north of Phoenix, for $21 million. It had unusual cacti, stone formations, and hundreds of pre-historic Hohokam Indian tribal artifacts, and is now a Maricopa County park.[8]
Climate
Cave Creek is located in a semi-arid climate, receiving more rainfall than a desert climate. Cave Creek is at a higher elevation, and therefore is cooler than the lower elevations of the Phoenix area. The hot season lasts for 3.5 months, from May 31 to September 19, with an average daily high temperature at or above 93 °F (34 °C). The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 102 °F (39 °C) and low of 74 °F (23 °C).[9]
The cool season lasts for 3.4 months, from November 20 to March 1, with an average daily high temperature below 69 °F (21 °C). The coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of 37 °F (3 °C) and high of 65 °F (18 °C).[9]
In July–September, the North American monsoon season brings rain and thunderstorms to the Cave Creek area. The wettest month of the year is August, with an average of 6 days of rain, and averaging 1.77 inches (45 mm).[9]
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,728 people, 1,571 households, and 1,101 families residing in the town. The population density was 132.0 inhabitants per square mile (51.0/km2). There were 1,753 housing units at an average density of 62.1 per square mile (24.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.0% White, <0.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.0% of the population.
Out of the 1,571 households some 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 36.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $59,938, and the median income for a family was $76,549. Males had a median income of $50,399 versus $31,607 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,070. About 6.0% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Historic properties located at the Cave Creek Museum include the Tubercular Cabin (listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)), the First Church of Cave Creek, and Golden Reef Stamp Mill. Two historic properties have been converted into restaurants: the Cave Creek Inn, and the Cave Creek Service Station (listed on NRHP). Another location, Frontier Town, has some of Cave Creek's original structures.[11][12]
Frontier TownFrontier Days Rodeo
Every year the Sonoran Arts League holds an open studio event involving approximately 40 artists home in the area of Cave Creek, "Hidden in the Hills".[13]
Government
In June 2009, Cave Creek attracted media attention when a game of chance was used to break a tie in a vote for Town Council. The drawing of playing cards led to the victory of 25-year-old law student Adam Trenk[14] over incumbent Town Council member Thomas McGuire. The Arizona State Constitution allows a game of chance to be used to break ties.[15]
"Where the Wild West Lives" was adopted as the town motto by the Cave Creek Town Council during a November 2013 meeting.[16]
