Chandler got its' start in 1891 when Alexander Chandler bought 80 acres of land from the federal government south of Mesa. By the end of the century, Dr Chandler owned 18,000 acres. He then drew up a townsite that would subdivide his ranch, and he advertised it nationally. On the opening day in 1912, 300 speculators spent $50,000 buying his land. Deed restrictions required that owners built on their land within a year. By 1913 the San Marcos Hotel opened with 500 guests (the first grass golf resort in this state). Cotton became the most profitable and common crop in Chandler, and the town incorporated in 1920.
By 1954 the population increased to over 3,800 and the town was upgraded from a "town" to a "city". Today Chandler has a strong manufacturing and electronics sector, and in fact goes by "Silicon Desert" in the cities Marketing materials. New Chandler Fashion Center, a Regional Mall opened end of 2001, with 150 shops in 1.3 million square feet. Two "power centers" opened adjacent to the mall at the same time. Intel, the cities largest employer, completed a new chip fabrication plant in 2001, a $2 billion dollar investment! Intel also announced in mid 2005 that they will spend another $3 billion to build another chip plant in Chandler.
Chandler is also home to Microchip Technology, University of Phoenix, Boeing, Charles Schwab, AMKOR Technology. Chandler Airpark has two runways, 116 hangers, and is located in an "Enterprise Zone". If you want to live at the airport, and have your plane in the garage, you can do that at Stellar Airpark! Chandler celebrates a number of yearly festivals, including the Ostrich Festival, Jazz Festival, Greek Festival, Cinco de Mayo, and the Tumbleweed Festival.
New life in downtown Chandler? San Marcos Commons, a 15 Acre development that will include luxury townhomes, and a new mixed use project just south of the cities historic district will feature a mix of residential, retail, and office with a city museum and a parking garage. Final Plans have not been finished yet, but it should include 600 residential units, a 40,000 sq foot conference center, and a 200 room hotel. AARP picked Chandler in 2007 as one of the top five cities to live in for retirement.
