Pima

History

Pima was settled by Mormon settlers in 1879. It was originally named "Smithville". The first settlers had been living in Forrest Dale, but then were told they had to leave because the location was on Indian land. Unlike other Mormon settlements of the era, Smithville was not planned by the leaders of the church. Joseph K. Rogers was the first branch president at Pima, being appointed to this office before any of the settlers arrived. The branch was organized into a ward in 1880. In 1930 the ward had 666 members. Pima had a population of 980, and a total of 1,260 people resided within the boundaries of the Pima ward. In 1990 Pima had 1,725 residents. In 1882 Jesse N. Smith predicted that a Mormon temple would one day be built in Pima. The Gila Valley Arizona Temple is currently at a site between Pima and Thatcher in Central, Arizona, within the boundaries of the Pima Arizona Stake of the Church.

Geography

Pima is located in central Graham County in the valley of the Gila River. U.S. Route 70 passes through the town, leading southeast to Safford, the county seat, and northwest to Globe. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which , or 0.76%, is water.

Race & ethnicity