Page 5 - Travelore 36 Winter 2016

DRVC Travelore - Page 5
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surrounded by businesses. Walkways in front of the build- ings would be covered by a trellis-like roof, supported by colonnades. A national advertising campaign for the sale of Chandler Ranch sites brought trains filled with 300 speculators on the newly completed Arizona Eastern Rail- road with each spending $50,000 for land. One year after selling plots for the new town, businesses had been built along the west and south side of the park, including the Bank of Chandler and the Eastern Railroad depot.
The heart of Chandler remains its revitalized historic downtown, which includes the award-winning Chandler City Hall and a Center for the Arts. In 2010, Chandler was named as an All-America City, bestowed by the National Civic League.
In addition to Chandler, other suburbs of Phoenix include Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tempe with each offering a variety of attractions for visitors to the area. Also providing a draw to the area is the fact that, at one time, Arizona was considered the heart of the Wild West. This fact translates to providing tourists an opportunity to experience a personalized Western adventure.
For those who enjoy horseback riding, Koli Equestrian Center, located in the heart of the Gila River Indian Res- ervation, offers miles of beautiful scenery and a variety of horseback riding trails to enjoy. Friendly, qualified wran- glers can tell you about the beautiful desert surroundings while riding their well-trained horses. The Koli Equestrian Center offers 60-90 minute rides depending on the time of year.
Rawhide Western Town and Event Center
Rawhide Western Town and Event Center will be host-
ing FMCA’s Rally in the Valley. On the grounds are the 1880s-style Steakhouse and Saloon which features authen- tic Western-style food including steaks, burgers and fries. (Reservations are suggested for cining at the Steakhouse). Visitors to the complex can hop on the 1880s-style Butter-
Southern Pacific Railroad Locomotive No. SP 2562 and Tender No. 8365 were built in 1900. It is on exhibit in the Arizona Railway Museum located at 330 E. Ryan Rd in Chandler. The locomotive was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works as a 2-8-0, steam locomotive. It and the attached tender are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
field stagecoach, ride burros, board a train, and watch the Rawhide Roughriders’ stunt show.
Other features of Rawhide Western Town include the fol- lowing:
• General Store
• Honky Tonk and Bull Ride
• Mission Patio and Cantina
• Branding Iron and Town Grill
• Pizza Tavern and Chuck Wagon Plaza • River Walk
• Event Center and Sonoran Lawn
• Rodeo Arena
Of course, the FMCA event will feature a motorhome and RV showcase, technical and lifestyle seminars, and nightly entertainment as it has in the past. The International Con- vention is March 7 to 10, 2017.
GReaT beneFITs
Join the FMCA Family GReaT PeoPle