Concho, Arizona

Concho is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Apache County, Arizona, United States. Concho is located on Arizona State Route 61, 14 miles (23 km) west of St. Johns. Concho was the original site for the state capital, due to its prosperous farming. As of the 2010 census, the Concho CDP had a population of 38.[4]

Concho, Arizona
Census-designated place
West view of the water tower in the Concho Valley area, as seen along SR 61
Location of Concho in Apache County, Arizona.
Concho
Location of Concho in Apache County, Arizona.
Coordinates: 34°28′31″N 109°36′21″W
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountyApache
Area
 • Total0.45 sq mi (1.17 km2)
 • Land0.45 sq mi (1.15 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
5,942 ft (1,811 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total38
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
N/A
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
ZIP code
85924
Area code(s)928
GNIS feature ID3155[3]

Concho has the ZIP code 85924.[5] The United States Postal Service operates the Concho Post Office along Arizona State Route 61.[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

History

Originally Concho was formed as a Spanish Basque community in the late 1860s. A group of Latter-Day Saints led by William J. Flake arrived in 1879 after Flake and Bateman H. Wilhelm purchased some of the land from José Francisco Chaves under the direction of Apostle Erastus Snow. The LDS community adopted the name Erastus in honor of Snow, but changed the name to Concho to match the continuing Mexican community in 1890.[8]

While many believe the name is possibly derived from the Spanish word concha (meaning "shell"), perhaps due to the shells found along the Concho Creek, in reality it is a Basque word meaning "a small valley" which is indicative of both the topography and the original Basque sheep herders that founded the town. "The town was once the major population and financial center of the northeast quarter of what is now Arizona. It continued as a thriving small town for many years."[9] Nevertheless, circumstances such as World War II caused residents to leave the area, and in time Concho dwindled down to a small community.

The village (CDP) of Concho, sometimes referred to as "Old Concho", is rich in tradition and folklore. Each year the villagers enjoy coming together for the San Rafael Fiestas, when residents and relatives from afar gather for joyful celebration and reminiscing. Concho also celebrates Memorial Day with the only Memorial Day parade and town picnic in Arizona that actually takes place on Memorial Day.

The newer portion of Concho, outside the CDP, is the highland country referred to as "Concho Valley", established in 1971. Growth in this development primarily took place as a result of the construction of the Coronado Generating Station located west of St. Johns. The main attraction, until its closure in 2010, was the local country club and golf course. The clubhouse of the country club is now a pizza place, and the old golf course is a parklike residential area with a vineyard, private homes and organic gardens. Concho Lake, which primarily serves as an irrigation reservoir for "Old Concho", is enjoyed for fishing, boating and recreation the rest of the year. Both the old and new portions of Concho enjoy the peacefulness of a quiet country atmosphere, with clear skies and a sense of community. The total population of the Concho CDP ("Old Concho") and "Concho Valley" is approximately 800-900 persons.

Education

Concho is served by the Concho Elementary School District, with its school being Concho Elementary School.[10]

The Apache County Library District operates the Concho Public Library.[11]

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 18, 2017.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Concho CDP, Arizona". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  5. ZIP Code Lookup Archived 2012-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Post Office™ Location - CONCHO Archived 2012-08-26 at the Wayback Machine." U.S. Postal Service. Retrieved on January 30, 2011.
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  8. Byrd H. Granger (1960). Arizona Place Names. University of Arizona Press. p. 9. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  9. Keith Cunningham (197). Concho: The People of Santo Nino. Journal of the Southwest.
  10. "Contact Us Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine." Concho Elementary School District. Retrieved on January 30, 2011.
  11. "Concho Public Library." Apache County Library District. Retrieved on January 30, 2011.
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