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Black Canyon City, is located in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, which is some of the best gold country in Arizona, and is an easy 30-minute commute to north Phoenix via 1-17. Surrounded by Government land, residents enjoy breathtaking scenery in all directions. You can explore the lush high desert by hiking, on horseback, or other types of transportation. It's a small town atmosphere close to big city services.
The elevation is approximately 2000 feet (1000 feet higher than most of Phoenix) with clean smog free air. The summer temperatures are a bit cooler than Phoenix, especially after the sun goes down. Winters are mild with a bit more rain than Phoenix.
Black Canyon City is an unincorporated community in Yavapai County with Prescott the County Seat. The population is approximately 4000 with many residents making this their winter home. Many commute to Phoenix for jobs but many find employment in the varied commercial establishments locally. Black Canyon City has most of the essential businesses and services to serve basic everyday needs. It has 5 restaurants, 3 bars, a bank, school K-8, a park, hardware store, Post Office, Fire Department with EMT, Chamber of Commerce, grocery store, 2 convenience stores, full service gas station, hair salon, mini storage, doctor, dentist, and a chiropractor.
Approximately 250 students are enrolled in elementary and junior high schools in Black Canyon City. High school students are bused to Mayer High School in Spring Valley, northwest of Cordes Junction off highway 69 or to Anthem just 12 miles south.
History of Black Canyon City Our community has been known by several names: Agua Fria District, Goddard, Canon, Rock Springs Black Canyon, and present day Black Canyon city. References to Rock Springs by the military have been found dating back to the 1860's when cavalry troops stopped at this popular watering spot while traveling to Fort Whipple and Fort Verde during Territorial days. Our canyons are natural passes through and to the upper plateaus and mountains. One trail through Black Canyon, the Woolsey Trail, was named after King Woolsey, an early settler who is credited with bringing the first wagon through the Black Canyon in the mid 1860's. However the best known trail became the Black Canyon wagon road and stage line. As early as 1872, a stage stop on the Agua Fria River served the area. Stagecoach service between Phoenix ad prescott continued until 1917 - much later than in most other areas. Stage stop owner Charles Goddard was appointed the area's first Postmaster in 1894 at his place on the southeast bank of the river. The Agua Fria Canon School was established in 1898. The district was reorganized in 1917 and the name shortened in 1917 to the present Canon School. A few of the early day students still reside in Black Canyon City. Early documents and interviews with old timers verify the prevalence of farming in the area beginning approximately 1910 when William Jeff Martin grew alfalfa and vegetables. From 1931 until the late 1950's D.J. Albins raised a variety of commercial flowers. Cattlemen frequently camped at Black Canyon City from 1912 to the 1930's while driving cattle down from northern Arizona purchase points, along the Agua Fria, to their final destination in Phoenix. Electricity was brought to Black Canyon City in the 1920's for the Kay Copper Mine which ceased operation in 1929. In 1949, the road through town to Phoenix was paved. Small businesses began springing up which catered to the growing number of travelers through our area. Farm lands began to be subdivided around this time also and Trails End Water Service stated serving the increasing population. Land Development and highway construction replaced most of the area's agricultural expanses by the 1960"s, Interstate-17 was completed during the 1960's.
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