Taylor, on the banks of Silver Creek, is in a broad, flat valley in east-central Arizona. With the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains to the south and west, the town lies at an elevation of 5,640 feet. The mountains form an almost continuous barrier protecting Taylor from severe winters and creating a semi-arid climate. Taylor was settled by James Pearce and named after John Taylor, English-born president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The town was established in 1881 and incorporated in 1966. Taylor has seven sites listed on the National Register.

Taylor lies in an area of great contrasts--barren desert to the north and mountain ranges to the south. The Petrified Forest National Park is one of the nation's most unique parks. Within the Petrified Forest is the Painted Desert and Navajo Indian Reservation with such attractions as Monument Valley and Oraibi, the oldest continually occupied village in the U.S. To the south and west of Taylor are high mountains and forests, including the White Mountains, Sitgreaves National Forest, and the Mogollon Rim. Many small lakes, perfect for trout fishing and swimming, are scattered throughout these mountains. The Sunrise Park Resort is located 65 miles south of Taylor on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation.

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James Pearce Founder of Taylor - On January 23, 1878, James Pearce, his wife Mary Jane and their four children came to Taylor, Arizona from St. George, Utah. They were the first Mormon settlers along the Silver Creek. They lived in a dugout Pearce built in the side of the hill. In March 7, 1878 John Standiford and his daughter Ann arrived. In 1878-1881 other families joined them helping to establish the Town of Taylor which was named after John Taylor, the 3^rd President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Pioneer Museum - Taylor's Museum was opened on July 4^th, 1997. Many interesting heritage items are on display. Each month one of the pioneer families will be featured. This building was first known as the Jane Hatch Camp for the Daughters of the Pioneers.

Taylor Town Logos: Anvil and Drum - The logos represent two family town traditions. The Standiford family tradition "Firing of the Anvil" every 4^th of July at 4:00 a.m. with a loud bang, followed by a serenade of patriotic music from the Jennings Band. Awakening call goes on throughout the town. This unique tradition began with the Taylor Pioneers and was revived in 1953, and draws people from throughout the U.S.A.

The Drum - Renz L. Jennings playing the old Jennings Drum - The historical drum constructed by Major Edward Duzette was made of cowhide, birch and hickory. The Drum was used in the Navajo Legion Band in the 1830's. It was hauled across the plains on the back of Brigham Young's carriage with the first company of Mormon Pioneers in 1847. It was later given to Cyrus Jennings, hence it is known as the Jennings drum.

The Anvil - The heavy duty anvil was used by the Mormon Battalion in 1847. Then it was brought to Taylor by Joseph S. Hancock in the late 1800's to be used in his blacksmith shop. Taylor's forefathers in the late 19^th century came up with this substitution for the cannon.

Taylor lies in an area of great contrast-barren desert to the north and mountain ranges to the south.  The Petrified Forest National Park is one of the nation's most unique parks. With in the Petrified Forest is the Painted Desert and Navajo Indian Reservation with such attractions as Monument Valley and Oraibi, the oldest continually occupied village in the U.S.  To the south and west of Taylor are high mountains and forests, including the White Mountains, Sitgreaves National Forest, and the Mogollon Rim.  Many small lakes, perfect for trought fishing and swimming, are scattered throughout  these mountains.  The Sunrise Park Ski Resort is located 65 Miles south of Taylor on the Fort Apache Indian Reservations

Abitibi Consolidated Sales Corporation, Arizona's only pulp and paper mill, is Snowflake and Taylor's largest industry. Located on a 640-acre site 15 miles west of Taylor, it is one of the most modern and efficient facilities of its type in America. Its daily production of newsprint and kraft linerboard supplies the fast-growing Southwest region. The plant's permanent employees are supplemented by another large group who work as wood cutters, truckers, and in other plant-affiliated jobs. The present annual payroll and substantial contribution to local taxes has contributed immensely to the economy and growth of the snowflake/Taylor area.

Precision Pine and Timber maintains a sawmill in the Heber area that converts the logs into rough boards. Precision Pine and Timber Planer Mill Surfaces the rough lumber that is wholesaled to retailers and dealers needing finished lumber and also rough lumber for railroad ties, and all kinds of timber, posts. There are three molding companies that are large employers in the Snowflake/Taylor vicinity, manufacturing interior and exterior pine moldings.

Livestock production in the Snowflake/Taylor area is significant. Recently, 32,000 head of cattle have grazed annually in the country, many of them in the Snowflake/Taylor area. Hog production has also greatly increased in importance, reaching 250,000 head annually.

The community offers a wide range of community facilities including a library, one golf course, museums, 10 roping arenas, two rodeo arenas, 
an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool, and three parks with the following facilities: four lighted tennis courts, basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts, picnic and barbecue areas, and an amphitheater (available
in Snowflake and Taylor). 

The traditional Fourth of July celebration offers may activities 
including the firing of the anvil at 4 a.m., a patriotic program, 
a rodeo, a barbecue, fireworks and dances. Thiscelebration has traditionally been used for family reunions.

The Annual Sweet Corn Festival is over the Labor Day Weekend 
in Taylor. Youths are urged to plant plots of sweet corn and compete 
for prizes. In addition, there are parades, barbecues, kid's rodeos, 
dances and exhibits of arts and crafts and tours of the Taylor Museum. 
A distance run and bike-a-thon are held annually.

Communication 

In addition to communication resources from the rest of the state, 
Taylor receives radio stations from Holbrook and Showlow, and 16 television channels via cable, four Tucson channels via antenna. 

Education 

There are four public elementary, one junior high, one high school and one
private school (grades 1-12) in the Snowflake/Taylor area. 

Northland Pioneer College (NPC), a nationally accredited community college, has a campus in the Taylor area. Areas of study include occupational, academic, and vocational programs.

Medical 

The community has two medical clinics, four physicians, three chiropractors, one optometrist (part-time), and two emergency ambulances serving Taylor and Snowflake. Complete medical 
facilities are available in Show Low, 19 miles south. 

Financial 

There are two financial institutions in the area: Norwest Bank 
in Snowflake and Frontier State Bank in Taylor. The Northern 
Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) located in Flagstaff 
services this area with a Revolving Loan Program for new and 
existing businesses. Inquiries can be made through WMRDC, 
PO Box 3440, Show Low, AZ 85901. The Navajo County Industrial Development Authority handles information related to private 
activity bonds. Inquiries can be made through the Navajo County 
IDBA, 819 W. Florida, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Additionally, 
Navajo County businesses are eligible for assistance in financing
fixed assets through the Arizona Department of Commerce Finance Division.

Governmental

The Town of Taylor is governed by a mayor and six council members and
protected by Taylor/Snowflake officers and Navajo County deputies. The fire department has 15 volunteers and six reserves.

Airport

Residents of Taylor have access to the Taylor Airport, which has 
a 7,200 foot runway.

Industrial Properties

There is one 17-acre park with utilities. Contact the Town of Taylor.

Utilities
 

Lodging & Meeting Facilities 

Taylor has one motel with 42 units and Snowflake has one motel with 36 units; eight trailer parks are also available. There are several meeting facilities with the largest seating 1,000.




For further information, contact:

Snowflake/Taylor Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 776 
Snowflake, AZ 85937 
phone: (928) 536-4331 

Town of Taylor 
P.O. Box 158
Taylor, AZ 85939 
phone: (928) 536-7366

 

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