""Crossroads of the Southwest"" Gila Bend by Basaic

Gila Bend Travel Guide: 16 reviews and 49 photos

Gila Bend

Gila (pronounced "hee-la") Bend, was named for the sharp bend in the Gila River. It is located near a prehistoric Hohokam Indian Village which Father Eusebio Francisco Kino visited in 1699. Kino found the fertile banks of the Gila River had been abandoned by an early Indian tribe call the Opas, who raised two grain crops annually and irrigated the land using water from the Gila River.

Gila Bend has long been nicknamed the "Crossroads of the Southwest", and was part of an important transportation route in the settling, development and growth of the Great Southwest. Gila Bend is ideally situated as the "center of a wheel" with spokes leading to and from all areas of the southwest.

Gila Bend has almost 2000 residents, and seems to be a very friendly town.

Nearby Attractions

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site

Nearby attractions include the Gatlin Site (a site of an ancient Hohokam Settlement established around 800 AD and which is under development); Fortaleza (another Hohokam Site which is not open to the general public); the Oatman Massacre Site (where the Oatman Family was massacred in 1851); and the Painted Rock Petroglyph Site located just west of town.

Gila Bend also has a town museum which is free and is well worth a visit.

Facilities

Sofia's Mexican Restaurant

Gila Bend boasts a number of hotels and restaurants.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Worth a Visit

Last visit to Gila Bend: Dec 2010
Intro Updated Dec 17, 2010
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Reviews (11)

Sonoran Desert National Monument - Gila Bend

Sonoran Desert National Monument Things to Do (6)

The Sonoran Desert National Monument consists of 487,000 acres of desert wilderness in south central Arizona. There was... more travel advice

Chain of Mexican Fast Food Restaurants (3)

I had seen the signs for Cafe Charo but had never stopped there. It is a chain restaurant like Taco Bell but with a more... more travel advice

America's Choice Inn & Suites - Gila Bend

Best Choice? Hotels (2)

I stopped at the Best Western but they wanted almost $100 for a single. This place had nicer facilities (including a... more travel advice

Great Breakfast Restaurants (3)

The night I stayed at the Space Age Hotel included a free breakfast at the Space Age Restaurant which is co-located with... more travel advice

Comments (2)

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Yaqui Apr 26, 2010 at 5:13 PM

My sister lived here for almost three years. She loved it. That Space Age Lodge looks really cool and the restaurant too! Neat page Jim!
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LoriPori Apr 8, 2009 at 2:52 PM

Hans and I actually drove through Gila Bend in June, 1996 and did stop at the Visitor Information. I have pictures of those giant Cactus.