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Gilbert History
In 1902, the Arizona Eastern Railway was asking for donations of right of way in order to establish a rail line between Phoenix Arizona and Florence Arizona. A rail siding was established on property owned by William “Bobby” Gilbert. The siding and the town that sprung up around it eventually became known as Gilbert Arizona.
Because of the area’s rich land, Gilbert Arizona became a center for growing and shipping cattle, sheep, dairy products, grains, melons, cotton, and alfalfa hay. During World War I, the cavalry needed an ever-increasing amount of alfalfa to feed their horses. Gilbert Arizona helped supply their need, becoming known as the Hay Shipping Capital of the World.
In 1920, the town’s 500 citizens incorporated, and Gilbert Arizona was officially born. Over the next 50 years growth was slow-to-moderate. Then, beginning in 1980, Gilbert experienced a population boom. In the last decade and a half, Gilbert has grown at a pace unparalleled by most communities in the United States, increasing population from 5,717 in 1980 to approximately 145,000 in July 2003.
Gilbert Arizona Top Employers
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Top 10 Major Employers |
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EMPLOYER |
BUSINESS TYPE |
EMPLOYEES |
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Gilbert Unified School District |
Education |
4,601 |
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Town of Gilbert |
Government |
1,107 |
|
B H Drywall |
Construction |
1,100 |
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GoDaddy.com |
Internet Domain Service |
700 |
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Target |
Retail |
660 |
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General Dynamics C4 Systems |
Advanced Space Systems |
607 |
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Hunter Contracting |
Road Construction |
500 |
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Earnhardt's Gilbert Dodge |
Automotive Sales/Service |
480 |
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Wal-Mart |
Retail |
470 |
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SanTan Roofing |
Contracting/Roofing |
450 |
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