Joseph City

History

Joseph City was settled in 1876 by colonists who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This band of 73 pioneers was led by Captain William C. Allen. They traveled to the Little Colorado River basin of Arizona. Joseph City was one of four Little Colorado River colonies. The other colonies were Brigham City, Sunset, and Obed. Joseph City is the only remaining colony. The hardest challenge for the new colonists was trying to get water for their crops. This meant that they had to tame the Little Colorado River, which was difficult due to the flooding season that would destroy dams along the river. The first dam was built in 1876, shortly after the colonists arrived in the area. In the next 18 years the colonists built ten more dams. The eleventh dam was built in 1894. This dam lasted 29 years. In 1923, the eleventh dam was destroyed and the colonists were forced to build a new dam. This dam still stands and directs water to the inhabitants in the city. The name of the colony changed twice since its founding. The area settled by Captain Allen's group was called Allen's Camp, in honor of their leader. The name changed in January 1878 to St. Joseph. This change came about when the Little Colorado Stake was organized, to honor Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. In 1923 there was a final name change to Joseph City. Due to mail and freight shipment confusion, the Santa Fe Railway, which also ran through Saint Joseph, Missouri, asked St. Joseph, Arizona to change its name. The residents of the town voted and the name became Joseph City.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Joseph City has a semi-arid climate (BSk) with cold to cool winters and hot summers. Although the mean snowfall is , the median is zero, so the majority of winters do not have measurable snow.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Holbrook High School
  High · HOLBROOK · 660 students · 16.9:1 ratio
• Joseph City Elementary School
  Elementary · JOSEPH CITY · 202 students · 12.6:1 ratio
• Joseph City High School
  High · Joseph City · 137 students · 10.5:1 ratio
• Joseph City Junior High School
  Middle · Joseph City · 116 students · 8.9:1 ratio
• NAVIT - Holbrook High School
  High · HOLBROOK
• NAVIT - Joseph City High School
  High · Joseph City