List of historic structures in Gilbert, Arizona
This is a list, which includes a photographic gallery, of some of the remaining historic buildings in Gilbert, Arizona, a town in Maricopa County] which was founded as a farming community. The town of Gilbert is located southeast of Phoenix within the city's metropolitan area. During World War 1, Gilbert was known as the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World". The Gilbert Elementary School which was built in 1913, and now houses the Gilbert Historical Museum, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Other structures are considered historical by the Gilbert Historical Society. Brief history William Michael “Bobby” Gilbert was born on December 14, 1861, near Lexington, Kentucky. His mother Sally suffered from asthma and therefore in 1882, he and his family moved to Mesa, Arizona, believing that the subtropical, hot desert type of climate would benefit her. William and his father became very active in the real estate business in the East Valley and homesteaded 160 acres in the area. The Phoenix and Eastern Railroad wanted to build a rail line from Phoenix to Kearny and the mining finds along the Gila River. On October 24, 1902, William sold the right-of-way across his homestead to the Phoenix