The
Laveen area has been inhabited by farmers and dairymen since the 1870s
as well as populated and traveled across by the Pima and Maricopa
tribal members. The area was formally given the name Laveen after the
first postmaster, Walter E. Laveen, around 1918. The first school was
built in 1913 on land donated by the Laveen family. Before 1911, when
Roosevelt Dam was built to contain the Salt River, the community was
isolated by the running water of the Salt. Before the dams were built,
Central Avenue was the only bridged crossing of the Salt River. Early
Laveen had a country store/post office, barber shop, blacksmith shop,
garage, women's club building, pool hall and cotton gin and was quite
self-sufficient.
Laveen
residents have a long history of taking care of themselves and
volunteering to help neighbors. We hope new residents of Laveen will
enjoy the spirit of our community and take advantage of the many
opportunities to get involved and meet our neighbors! Want to know more
about Laveen? Below are some history articles that will help build your
knowledge of our wonderful community!