In the late 1800’s the Eagar family homesteaded this part of
northeastern Arizona among the tall ponderosa pines. Central to
several small homesteads, the town was formed under the name
"Union" as a symbol of the unity among the small settlements in
the area. Incorporated in 1948, the town changed its name back to
Eagar in honor of the original homesteaders. Along with its
neighbor Springerville, the two communities are collectively
known as Round Valley.
At an elevation of 7,000 feet, Eagar lies at the crossroads of
several major thoroughfares in northeastern Arizona. Today,
natural resources are still a part of the community’s industries.
Two power plants and the timber-related industry form a
substantial portion of the town’s employment base, while
ranching, retail, and industries in support of the popular
tourist trade help to diversify the town’s economy.
And it’s no wonder that tourism is a large part of Eagar: with
over 2 million acres in the adjoining Apache-Sitgreaves National
Forest, numerous lakes and miles of pristine trout streams,
tourists from Arizona and New Mexico flock to Eagar each year.
Combined with winter skiing, sledding, and sight-seeing, it’s no
wonder why Eagar has become a popular tourist destination.
