Where the hell is Snowflake, Arizona. 11/12/07
Thought I'd take a minute today to tell my readers a little about Snowflake, Arizona. Snowflake Arizona is a member of the White Mountain community. By this I mean, we have kind of a regional economic community. Within a few minutes drive from Snowflake are the towns of Lakeside, Pinetop, Concho, Heber, Overgaard, Springerville, St. John's, Eager, Show Low, and Holbrook.
Snowflake is located on the high plateau, just north of the pine tree forest. I like to refer to it as the Juniper forest. We have a mild four season climate, which is quickly becoming the preferred area for developers of year around family housing. Snowflake also has an LDS or a Mormon Temple. Only one of two in Arizona. From Snowflake it is about 16 miles from Show Low and Lakeside/Pinetop, which have grown together and are almost one in the same. There can find pine trees many second homes, fishing lakes and amenities for the ski industry, which is at Sunrise on the White Mountain Apache reservation. There also a number of reservation fishing lakes, between Pinetop and sunrise ski resort. If you travel from Pinetop has sunrise become to Greer Arizona, which is another area of second homes fishing lakes and outdoor activities. The area between Pinetop and Greer is well known for the beautiful colors in the forest at change of season.
I chose Snowflake because although we have snow, approximately 5 to 8 inches four or five times a year and on rare occasions more than that. We have access to all the things mentioned above, without the worries of forest fires, snow that sets for months and turns black, cleaning up after pine trees and much colder temperatures with Sun and views bocked by the beautiful pine trees. Not to mention the considerable difference in real estate prices. I love these areas mentioned above, but find it much easier to drive there in less than 30 minutes and enjoy them, than actually living there.
To answer the question in the title of this blog "where the hell is Snowflake Arizona" we are in northeast Arizona and considered a part of the White Mountains although we are more of a high plateau or foothills to the White Mountains our elevation is between 5800 and 6200 feet. We are 3 hours from Phoenix and 1.75 hours from Flagstaff.
Some of the great features of Snowflake include a fantastic aquifer with millions of acre feet to draw from. This is in contrast to many towns in Arizona, who have water problems that threaten to get worse. We also have a very wonderful small town atmosphere. One of our tourist attractions are the historic homes that have been refurbished for the enjoyment of local residents and visitors. Our Chamber of Commerce is located in the historic Freeman home, along with our Integrity Realty branch office. This home contains some of the most beautiful antiques I've ever seen. We also have a commercial building, which was one of the original stores and has been refurbished as an ice cream parlor antique store and meeting facility. I'm am honest, when I say that I believe our school system is a great place for children to learn. In contrast to big-city schools. There must be somewhere between six and eight ball fields in town. Another wonderful feature that I think I most enjoyed about Snowflake, are the beautiful green irrigated pastors were you may see the horses, cattle, or even sometimes buffalo grazing. Much of the property in Snowflake/Taylor proper is irrigated. This stems from the fact that White Mountain lakes just a few miles south of Snowflake there is a natural spring that seems to come shooting from the ground. Out of nowhere. I'm told, and I haven't verified this that 12 to 1600 gallons per minute and come from this spring. For as long as the old-timers here can remember. This feeds into White Mountain lake and is used for irrigation during the summer months. This area was home to many Indians and the ruins in the area will verify that. We have the White Mountain Apache reservation to the South and the Navajo reservation to the South.
From the real estate perspective, we were only discovered a few years ago, and the prices are still considerably lower than other parts of the state but not for long. You can find 40 acre parcels from the worst at $30,000-$40,000 to the best from 80,000 to 150,000. We have new and resale homes from $175,000 to $450,00 and at the high end as much as $ 1.2 million. It is an exciting time for Snowflake, because developers have discovered the area and understand its potential. There are many subdivisions being plated as we speak in Snowflake, and the surrounding communities. There's an area between Taylor and White Mountain lakes on Highway 77 called Solomon lakes. This has been beautiful, irrigated pasture with several lakes, but has now been slated for 56 new-homes in the one million to 1.5 million range. It is also a subdivision near White Mountain lakes nearing completion with airport runway access from your home.
If you'd like to know more about Snowflake, Arizona visit our website at www.integrityrealty.com go to tour of Snowflake for photos. On the other beautiful features are the antique streetlights whining Main St.. These have wrought iron rings with potted flowers in the summer and lighted snowflakes in the winter. You will to see those photos on the tour. Or call me at 928-243-0199
Last but not least, although we do get snow and interesting fact about Snowflake, Arizona is how it got its name. Snowflake was founded in by a group of Mormon settlers in two of the leaders of the founding party were named Mr. Snow and you guessed it. Mr. Flake
Hope you found this interesting.
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