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Pine & Strawberry: Pine & Strawberry are small communities located approximately 15 miles north of Payson on State Highway 87. Tucked beneath the famed Mogollon Rim in Central Arizona�s �High Country,� the area affords spectacular views. The "Rim" is the southern end of a great plateau in Northern Arizona. At the edge, the elevation abruptly falls an average 1,500 feet from 7,000 to 5,500 feet elevation in Pine. The community of Pine is known for its many tall Ponderosa Pines. Pine Creek flows through the middle of the community about five months a year, longer in wet years. About 2,500 residents live in Pine year-round. Strawberry, at an elevation of 6,047 feet, was named for the wild strawberries that grow in the area. Home prices in the area range from $55,000 to $70,000 for condominiums and townhouses. Single-family homes start at around $70,000 and run up to $1.5 million for large estate homes with spectacular views.

Pine and Strawberry are rapidly growing unincorporated vacation and retirement centers located about 110 miles northeast of Phoenix. The area has four seasons, but none are severe; although snow falls in the winter, it usually melts quickly. As vacation and retirement centers, the commercial sectors of both communities rely heavily on weekend tourists and second-home residents. With the growth in the area, light industry manufacturing development is being encouraged. Some residents travel to Payson for employment; however, most non tourist-related income comes from construction and service-related businesses.

The beautiful pine-clad country around Pine and Strawberry and the Blue Ridge Reservoir, Bear Canyon Lake and Knoll Lake offer many recreational opportunities and facilities. Forest service campgrounds in the 7,000-foot Mogollon Rim area are plentiful. Fisherman can enjoy abundant trout streams. Hunting of elk, deer, turkey, antelope, bear and mountain lions is permitted. Scenic drives in the area abound. Two prime examples include Control Road that winds along the base of the Mogollon Rim, and Mogollon Rim Road, part of the historical General Crook Military Road, which follows along the edge of the rim. Another must-see site is the Tonto Natural Bridge. This natural wonder is the largest travertine bridge in the world and is operated as a state park.

The Pine-Strawberry Schoolhouse was built in 1885 and classes were held here until 1916. It now is an Arizona State Historical Site. Visitors are welcome on weekends from May through September.

Hikers, horseback riders and backpackers can enjoy scenic Pine Trailhead located at the southern edge of Pine. There is also a walking tour of historic buildings in Pine and Strawberry. The Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Society host a Strawberry Festival on the same day in June that the Kiwanis Club sponsors a Chili Cook-off. A shuttle bus provides transportation between the two events. The Chamber also hosts a fireworks display on July 2.

Other local events include an Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social sponsored by the Homemakers on July 22 followed by the community picnic on July 23. On each Saturday of three holiday weekends (Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day), there is an early morning Cowboy Breakfast sponsored by the Tonto Rim Search and Rescue Squad as well as arts and craft festivals. Pine also hosts the Pine Country Fair.

Because the Rim Country of Central Arizona is 97% government land, the entire area is very much under populated. In fact, far more elk live in the area than humans. Most of the land is designated National Forest including the Tonto National Forest, The Coconino National Forest, and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Before the turn of the century, homesteaders picked out a few nice spots to carve out a living. Today, most of those homesteads have been cut into smaller parcels and sold to people who want a piece of paradise. If you look at a map of the Rim Country, you quickly notice there a few small "white spots" on the map. These spots indicate private land. As a result, everyone living in this area, whether "in town" or out, is but a few blocks to a mile or so from the National Forest.

Pine is in Eastern Arizona. It is in Gila County. The town sits below the Mogollon Rim on State Route 87, just north of Payson. Pine is the sister town to Strawberry, which is located three miles to the north. It is approximately 110 miles northeast of Phoenix.

Pine is a vacation and retirement community. Today Pine has a combined population with Strawberry of 4,000. The town sits at an elevation of 5,448 feet. The climate is mild all year round with a winter low temperature of 23 degrees and a summer high temperature of 92 degrees. The beauty of the outdoors is a draw to many who come to stay.

Pine wants its visitors to experience the past through the many attractions available in town. The Historic Walking Tour of Pine is something you won�t want to miss. Many original log and rock cabins still remain. Some buildings have been turned into antique stores, cafes and gift shops. You may pick up a self-guided tour at the chamber of commerce.

The Pine-Strawberry Museum is located at the old Mormon pioneer chapel. The museum retells the history of northern Gila County. There are artifacts such as bared wire, rifles and pottery. It is a small town museum with lots of interesting information. The Strawberry Schoolhouse is the oldest standing school in Arizona. The school is just north of town in Strawberry and was built in 1884.

It was established to meet the needs of the pioneer families. The school closed in 1916 and was restored and dedicated as a Historical Monument in 1981. Today, the school has many pieces that were used throughout the school�s history. The Pine-Strawberry Historical Society keeps it open during the spring and summer. It is a great place to visit. There are numerous outdoor activities located near town.

The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is a spectacular sight. The park has picnic areas, a historic lodge and hiking trails down to the 400-foot natural travertine tunnel. It is a natural wonder that must be one of your top places to see. The Blue Ridge Reservoir is to the northeast of town on State Highway 87, then follow Forest Road 751 south down to the reservoir. Fishermen will enjoy taking a boat out to catch trout. The Blue Ridge Campground is a great place to spend the night and then head back out on the skinny lake the next day. The best time to drop your line is during the spring and fall.

History:
A group of Mormons decided to settle in the area around the Little River Colorado in 1876. Soon after choosing their places to settle, several men decided to explore the area around their establishment. They headed down to the Tonto Basin. Needless to say, they found this area to be unsuitable for future communities.

Then a year later, another group traveled into the Tonto Basin. Rial Allen and Price Nelson discovered a location along Pine Creek. The next year Allen established the community of Pine. The town was named after the surrounding timber pine country. Allen built a fort as protection against Indian attacks.

The community continued to grow. In 1884, the post office was established and is even used by the community of Strawberry and Pine today. Many of the early buildings were gabled-roofed framed houses, built near the general store. Although, there where some scattered and partly concealed by the tall pines.

Today, the town remains unincorporated. It is a vacationer�s haven and a retiree�s dream.

Pine & Strawberry Homes and Real Estate for Sale in Gila County, Arizona