Here is a look at Surprise history through the years on this week, compiled from archives of Independent Newsmedia, Newspapers.com and the city of Surprise historical records.
You must be a member to read this story.
Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Almanac
A look back at Surprise's history on this week
Posted
By Independent Newsmedia
Here is a look at Surprise history through the years on this week, compiled from archives of Independent Newsmedia, Newspapers.com and the City of Surprise historical records:
1962
Surprise is attempting to acquire a post office, with the nearest ones in El Mirage and Peoria. The Town Council considers using parts of Town Hall on Santa Fe Drive for the postal facility.
1970
Mayor George Cumbie submits a petition of 250 signatures to the Arizona Highway Commission asking for a caution light to be installed at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Sunny Lane. The petitions also asked to make the city a no-passing zone and have the speed limit reduced to 45 miles per hour.
1977
Surprise hosts its 17th annual Founders Day celebration, which includes the Surprise Rodeo and a carnival over two days.
1984
The Surprise unemployment rate drops to 5.8%, which is way above the Maricopa County rate of 3.1%.
1989
Valley Olympic boxing medalist Michael Carbajal leads the Founders Day parade.
1994
City hosts its first ever “Surprise Party” for the holidays.
1995
The Sun Lakes Homeowners Association sues the community’s builders, Radnor Corp. and Estes Homes, for unfinished and shoddy work. The case would not be settled for another three years when Sun Lakes is awarded a $3.55 million settlement.
1996
Surprise annexes 320 acres along Dysart Road between Waddell and Greenway roads.
2000
The Tourism and Sports Authority approves giving Surprise $26 million toward construction of the $45 million Surprise Stadium. The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers have already signed letters of intent to move spring training to Arizona.
2001
The City Council approves a $19 million expansion of its water plant between on Cactus between Dysart and Litchfield roads.
2005
The Surprise Fightin’ Falcons of the Golden Baseball League cease operations. Team officials say poor attendance caused losses as much as half a million dollars.