In Queen Creek, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our family and our faith, our country and the privilege of living in a town blessed with both prosperity, peace, and pleasant surroundings. Many of us, who arrived in the last 35 years (now the majority), have reaped the rewards of the pioneer families who settled here over a century ago and the lands that the Native Americans enjoyed centuries earlier. The Hohokam, based on archaeological evidence, were likely the first to thrive along Picket Post Creek (later, the Queen Creek Wash), south of the San Tan Mountains. With the installation of the Desert Wells Stage Stop and the Rittenhouse Railroad spur, the foundations for farming and homesteading drew families beyond the Germanns, Sossamans, Clouds, Hawes, Rittenhouses, and Ellsworths. Each family brought unique skills, something special, building upon the collaborative spirit that has defined Queen Creek since the beginning.
Queen Creek’s origin story is one of families uniting to farm fertile soil, dig life-giving wells, and seek prosperity in the serene Southwest. That same entrepreneurial spirit, which grew the town from 2,500 residents in 1990 to nearly 87,006 in 2025, continues to attract newcomers today.
We are grateful for those who pursued peace and prosperity through hard work and calloused hands, those who could appreciate the fertile soil, an abundance of sun, and the plentiful underground water disguised in desert clothing. Queen Creek’s greatness stems from a love of family, place and strong work ethics. As newer residents we stand with the descendants of the early pioneers, honoring this town’s legacy by seeking its prosperity—sometimes literally putting our hands to the soil for the benefit of all.
Queen Creek’s story began with a God-given wash/creek, dug wells, railroad tracks, and homesteads. Like the Israelites entering their promised land, we are grateful for our inherited blessings. It is good and right that we would give thanks. We are blessed to live in a town with these aforementioned underground wells most of us did not dig, enjoying the fruits of vineyards and olive groves (pecan groves even) most of us did not plant, thanks to those who plowed and prepared the land. As the town grew these early homesteading families also fought for incorporation to preserve the town that we all now cherish. Through good stewardship, they showed us that not just tending the land but being able to come together in humility and unity to protect what we all now enjoy as the QC lifestyle.
To truly taste and see Queen Creek’s goodness and prosperity you must savor peaches and pies from Schnepf Farms’ 300-acre worth of orchards and garden rows or enjoy their Fourth of July celebrations. You must absolutely visit Rhiba Farms, where Mark Rhine works miracles on 3.3 acres, and gives tours about regenerative and sustainable agriculture. To truly experience the QC take a tour at the Queen Creek Olive Mill, and then drive down and sip farmhouse coffee at Third Place Cup in the Vineyard Farmhouse. Third Place Coffeehouse is the oldest indy coffee shop in Queen Creek where they invite you to take your coffee mug out back and pick apricots or pluck grape bunches from the vineyard on their peaceful five-acre agritainment and agri-education hobby farm in the Ellsworth Mini-Farms.
You are invited to walk the garden labyrinth in the back and be still and listen to the birds channeling your inner Mansel Carter. Our town is rich with history and characters like Mansel Carter, the “old man of the mountain,” who mined, crafted cactus art, and befriended birds in the San Tan Mountains. His slower-paced life, alongside his Native American buddy and bird friends embodies Queen Creek’s appreciation of the local nature and beauty as well as the farm and family-friendly culture. These stories fuel our gratitude and appreciation of our particular slice of heaven here on earth.
We also now celebrate the modern amenities like Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre (our rodeo grounds, opened in 2009), Mansel Carter Oasis Park, and the new Frontier Family Park, honoring the Barney family’s legacy. Each park and road carries names tied to early farming families who built the foundation we now enjoy. New names, like Jordan Blevins and chef Chip Kennedy of Sage & Barrel, join them, incorporating Schnepf Farms’ peaches into seasonal dishes.
Each month, we share stories celebrating what makes Queen Creek great, fostering gratitude for our unique corner of the world. This Thanksgiving, may we steward this town with love for our neighbors, embracing the wellbeing and generosity that defines our community.
'Queen Creek’s greatness stems from a love of family...'
'We are grateful for those who pursued peace and prosperity through hard work and calloused hands...'