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St. Johns, Arizona

St. Johns, Arizona

Originally name El Vadito, or "little river crossing" by the original Spanish explorers, St. Johns was a thriving agricultural community in 1873. The community was renamed to San Juan (Spanish for St. John) when it was established in 1880.

Since its incorporation in 1946, St. Johns has seen significant changes. Two fossil-fueled electric generating plants, a data communications earth center, and a thriving tourist industry make up a significant portion of the town’s economy. As the Southern Apache County seat, St. Johns is also the center of government activities in this northeastern county that lies along the border of New Mexico.

St. Johns is a jumping off point for numerous prehistoric dwellings, petroglyph trails, and archeaological finds. The Petrified Forest, 43 miles northwest of St. Johns, is the largest forest of petrified wood from the Triassic time on earth. Nearby, the Painted Desert attracts thousands of visitors each year to marvel at the famous formations. Further north, day trips to the Apache, Navajo, and Hopi reservations draw visitors who wish to experience the "signature" southwestern scenery.

St. Johns is known as "The Town of Friendly Neighbors" and takes pride in the motto. With a population of 3,700 people, it is not at all uncommon for visitors to get a sense that local people know and care about others in the community. Friendly greetings are easy to happen upon.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Things to do near St. Johns, AZ

Stinson Museum

When the Flakes entered the Silver Creek Valley, they found two adobe structures that had been erected by James Stinson, owne...

Lyman Lake State Park

Lyman Lake was Arizona\\\'s first recreational state park. Encompassing a shoreline of 1500 acres, there are no boat restrict...

Raven Site Indian Ruins

Raven Site sits majestically above the Little Colorado River in the White Mountains area of Arizona. The prehistoric pueblo h...

Petrified Forest National Park

Best known for globally significant Late Triassic fossils, the park attracts many researchers. Geologists study the multi-hue...

Jacques Marsh

What started out as a curiosity, putting wastewater to good use, has now become an attraction to many forms of life. Visitors...