Historic Arcadia Neighborhood Orchard

Phoenix was the unlikely location for huge sprawling citrus orchards: these orchards were made possible because of the water the irrigation canals provided. 

In the 20's of last century the land south of Camelback Mountain was sold off at just over 30 cents per acre. 

It was sold in mostly large 5 acre parcels as citrus orchards.   This was only possible with the creation of the Arcadia Water Company. 

There are plenty of remnants of these orchards.  While most of the 5 acre lots have long been split off into single acre sites there are a few original 5 acre lots left and many of the citrus trees remain. 

The photo above is of one of those estates: its the entrance gate along a very long drive way.  Even on the single acre lots that remain citrus trees still produce fruit and are still irrigated by the same Arcadia Water Company.