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Tempe, AZ Tidbits

In the East Valley section of Phoenix in Maricopa County lays the city of Tempe. Like many of the towns in Arizona, Tempe was once also inhabited by an ancient indigenous people. Tempe was also once known as Hayden's Ferry.

Tempe has a population of 161,719, according to a census report back in 2010. The city got its name after the early founders compared the Salt River Valley to the Vale of Tempe near Mount Olympus in Greece. The city is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west side, Scottsdale on the north side, Chandler on the south, and Mesa on the east. Tempe also houses the biggest university in the entire state.

One interesting feat of this town is how they managed to preserve several historic properties. There are more or less fifty properties in Tempe that were registered under the historic property list. One of the oldest houses in Tempe was built by a German immigrant in 1888. This then became the city's first bakery. The house received its name after the first telephone operator in Tempe. Now the building stands as the oldest red brick building in Tempe.

Another historical and well-preserved landmark in Tempe is a preserve park. This is home to a butte, a natural landmark that was considered important to three communities, namely the residents of Tempe, the state university staff and students in Arizona, and the indigenous groups in the Salt River Valley. The butte has over 500 petroglyphs or rock art images that were inscribed by an ancient tribe.

Some of the indigenous groups in the area consider the butte a vital part of their culture because it provides a connection to their ancestors. As for the university students, the butte is where the second year students pass on the torch to the first year students.

There are multiple school districts in the city, but most of Tempe is managed by only two districts. Arizona has three major universities and Tempe houses one of them. Tempe is also the home of several community colleges and career schools. Other than that, Tempe's public library serves the city and other nearby places. The children's library now has 18,816 square feet of space.

A children's museum in Tempe was established in 2011 and, since then, it has been creating an educational interactive experience for children. It is the only cardiovascular learning facility in United States.

The museum also exhibits heart-healthy topics such as eating and cooking healthy meals and exercising to keep the heart pumped. It has over 40,000 visitors each year, with a goal to empower these tourists to engage in a healthier lifestyle.

Another Tempe attraction is the local aquarium. The 26,000-square-foot aquarium has more than 5,000 different marine creatures including but not limited to clownfish, jellyfish, seahorses, stingrays, two rescued sea turtles, and various species of sharks including the black tip and white tip reef sharks. The aquarium also features an interactive touch pool where kids can touch lobsters, crabs, and sea stars. The sea life aquarium also houses Ziva, a green sea turtle famous among visitors.