AZ League Connection

The League's Monthly Online Newsletter

Issue 181: May 2018

City Snapshot: City of Somerton Celebrates 100 Years of Incorporation

Somerton is located in the fertile Yuma Valley in southwestern Yuma County, about 12 miles south of Yuma and at an elevation of 103 feet, approximately 12 miles from the U.S./Mexico border and 180 miles east of San Diego, California. On June 4, 1918, Somerton was incorporated into a city, 20 years after its establishment. 100 years later, the city is recognizing the anniversary with a variety of activities including the dedication of a new Centennial Park in the heart of downtown.

Centennial Park is located at the site of the city’s historic water tower, long inactive but recently refurbished in preparation for the special occasion. The new park will be a place where residents and visitors can enjoy the 340 days of sunshine with comfortable benches, plenty of shade trees, a splash pad and an amphitheater setting for live performances and other events.

Somerton is bisected by U.S. Highway 95 (Main Street) and is bounded by the Cocopah Indian Reservations to the east and west. The city has seen strong growth in recent years, with the number of residents tripling in the last 20 years to an estimated population now exceeding 17,000. The city’s location between two major population areas (Yuma to the north and San Luis, AZ and San Luis R.C., Mexico to the south) makes Somerton the heart of south Yuma County.

Somerton’s small-town-feel and rich culture is unique, and visitors from all over the Yuma Region enjoy coming to the many special events offered throughout the year. The annual Somerton Tamale Festival in December regularly draws an estimated 30,000 visitors. People can sample dozens of varieties ranging from traditional beef and chicken to pork, turkey, corn and spinach tamales. There are even sweet tamales filled with pineapple, peach and strawberry. Proceeds help to provide Arizona State University scholarships to local students.

Agriculture, medical services, and tourism are the primary economic activities in the local economy. Retail activity continues to grow along with its population. A recently adopted downtown redevelopment plan offers a package of incentives for businesses that locate in the downtown area or existing ones that need to upgrade their premises.

The city’s many recreational amenities include new walking paths complete with outdoor exercise equipment, a public pool, gymnasium, youth center, senior center, cultural center, and numerous parks with playgrounds and ramadas. Plus, Somerton is the native region of the Cocopah Nation—the largest employer—with seven different entertainment, lodging and cultural attractions: The Cocopah Casino, The Cocopah Resort & Conference Center, The Cocopah Rio Colorado Golf Course, The Cocopah Museum, Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, Cocopah Speedway and Wild River Family Entertainment Center.

As Somerton celebrates 100 years of incorporation, we acknowledge our rich history and look forward to a future that is bright and full of promise. After all, Somerton considers itself the “Best Little City in Arizona!”

 

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