Chandler, Arizona, was founded in 1912 by Dr. Alexander John Chandler, the state’s first veterinary surgeon, who bought land southeast of Phoenix to develop an agricultural community. Dr. Chandler’s vision for the town included a carefully planned community with wide boulevards, a central plaza, and a resort, the San Marcos Hotel, which opened in 1913 and attracted tourists and investors from across the country. Initially, Chandler thrived on cotton, alfalfa, and other crops, but the economy diversified with the introduction of the Ostrich Farm in the 1910s, which supplied feathers for fashion before World War I.

The town remained small until the post-World War II era, when the growth of the technology sector began reshaping the area. In the 1980s, Intel established a manufacturing plant in Chandler, marking the beginning of its transformation into a technology and manufacturing hub. Chandler’s population surged in the following decades, with the city investing in infrastructure, parks, and business districts to support its growth. Today, Chandler is part of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and is known for its thriving tech industry, quality schools, and family-friendly neighborhoods, while also celebrating its historic downtown and agricultural heritage.