Florence, Arizona
Located in the Phoenix & Central Arizona Region
Florence is a National Historic District and is an Arizona ‘Main Street’ town. Photo by Lisa D. Smith.
 

About Florence, AZ
Florence is located in Pinal County in central Arizona, midway between Phoenix and Tucson at the junction of State Highways 287 and 79. The town boomed in the 1870’s with the discovery of silver propelling local business. As the town grew with the development of the mining, ranching, and farming industries, it became the county seat and the commercial hub for the region.
Florence is one of the oldest towns in the county, and is regarded as a National Historic District with over 100 buildings listed on the National Historic Registry. With the completion of the Coolidge Dam in 1930, farming arose as a major industry with cattle feeding lots springing up everywhere, giving birth to a very successful rodeo culture. In fact it is home to the world’s oldest sanctioned Junior Rodeo. Today, Florence is referred to as the ‘cowboy cradle’ of the great southwest, and is a ‘Main Street’ town.

Florence, AZ - Attractions
McFarland State Historic Park: This historic Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The building represents a transition between Sonoran and Anglo-American architecture with its wood-shingled pitched roof surmounting traditional adobe brick walls. Like most buildings in Territorial Arizona, the original 1878 structure was constructed by hand using local materials. Florence, AZ.  Tel: (520) 868-5216. For details –  Click here.
Pinal County Historical Society Museum: Florence, AZ. Tel: (520) 868-4382

Directions & Distances
Florence is located between Phoenix and Tucson at the junction of State Highways 287 and 79. Phoenix is about 63 miles away; Tucson is about 70 miles away; Apache Junction is just 35 miles away; Mesa is about 60 miles away; Gilbert is about 60 miles away; and Casa Grande is about 35 miles away.
From Tucson, AZ: Take Hwy. 77 north past Oro Valley. Pass Catalina, then go north on Scenic Highway 79 to Florence.
From Phoenix, AZ: Take Hwy. 60 east to Florence Junction. Then, head south on Scenic Highway 70 to Florence. Alternatively, take 1-10 south towards Tucson. Go east on Hwy. 387. Continue east on Hwy. 87 and Hwy. 287 to Florence.

Visitor, Relocation & Community Information
Florence Main Street Program: Florence, AZ. Tel: (520) 868-4496
Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce: Florence, AZ. Tel: (520) 868-9433
Town of Florence: Florence, AZ. Tel: (520) 868-7500