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Welcome To Blythe “City of Outdoors”
" City Hall " |
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In the fall of 1882, Thomas Blythe was present for the final blasting of a cut in a point jutting into the Colorado River. The river back then was 5 miles wide during the spring floods. The cut was the new diversion intake for his proposed land development and colonization plan. With him was 28-year-old Englishman George Irish, who had been appointed by Blythe to be manager of the project. Blythe, in his 60th year already had spent $82,000 on an undertaking to clear and irrigate a wilderness of 40,000 acres, including a 40-acre experimental farm. The development scheme, on the west banks of the Colorado less than 90 miles north of Fort Yuma, was Blythe’s dream of an “Empire on the Colorado”. Edwin F. Williams probably played a bigger part in the development of this wilderness than any other man. Williams arrived to find a jungle, and lived to see Blythe a modern, progressive city and the Palo Verde valley, more than 100,000 acres of well maintained farmland producing crops and livestock valued at over $100,000,000 a year. The die was cast and a hardy group of determined pioneers made the right decisions that have led to this self-sufficient, proud community; all created in just over a century. Blythe was incorporated on July 21, 1916. Blythe is an agricultural community with tourism as a major factor in its economy. Located on the California - Arizona border, right on the Colorado River, Blythe has a population of approximately 22,000 within the city limits, with a large trade area in the valley of about 37,000. During the winter months, with the influx of “winter visitors”, the trade area more than triples. Blythe plays an important part in the Quartzsite shows, which take place in January and February with its 1100 motel rooms usually filled to capacity. The area around Quartzsite grows from a summer population of 2,600 to over 250,000 during the winter months. The elevation of Blythe is 265 feet above sea level. The Palo Verde valley is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides ranging up to nearly 2,000 feet to the north. They are called The Big Maria’s to the north; The McCoy’s to the West; The Palo Verde & Chocolate Mountains to the south; and the Saw Tooth Mountains to the east. Unlike other parts of Southern California, Blythe is one of the most seismically stable cities in the Western states. There has not been an earthquake centered here in over 500,000 years. The area does have some thermal activity. When the water system for the prisons were drilled, heated water of 108 degrees was hit, which required cooling before use. Blythe is located at the junction of Interstate 10 and US 95. Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside are about 200 miles west on Interstate 10. Phoenix is 150 miles east on the same freeway. The resorts of Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada are respectively 125 and 200 miles north on Highway 95. Yuma, Arizona is 85 miles south on the same road. Blythe is within a four-hour driving distance of 10 percent of the entire population of the United States. The town is jokingly said to be 60 miles from anything but is within 200 miles of everything. The Arizona and California Railroad provides Blythe with regular rail service. At this time, 85% of the rail service is agriculture related. Conway Western Express has a 120-bay distribution center located at the Blythe Airport Industrial Center. Airfreight through U.P.S. is available at the airport. In cooperation with the City of Blythe, County of Riverside and various other organizations within the valley, the community has formed the Palo Verde Valley Economic Development Corporation. The PVVEDC is charged with new growth and development of business within the valley. There are many advantages to locating your business in the Palo Verde Valley. The board meets semi-monthly and can be reached by dialing (760) 922-7426 or writing to P.O. Box 657, Blythe, CA 92226. We enjoy over 350 days of sunshine a year. The summers are hot with the rest of the year being beautiful to mild. Average winter high temperatures range from 55 to 75 degrees with a few nights dropping below freezing. Nine months out of the year, the valley experiences some of the best weather in the world. Average summer temperatures are 85 to 110 degrees, with occasional days reaching the low to mid 120’s. The hottest official temperature is 122 degrees, however, many have reported 127 degrees. The difference may be that many thermometers stop at 120 degrees Fahrenheit! Annual rainfall is approximately 3 inches. Air pollution has just started to find its way to Blythe, but it is not uncommon to have fifty-mile visibility. On very clear days the peak of Mt. San Jacinto towering over Palm Springs, can be seen 130 miles to the west. At the time of this writing, there are 5 preschools and 1 private school. Palo Verde Unified School District has three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one continuation school. Palo Verde College is a California community college that provides an exemplary learning environment with high quality educational programs and services at a reasonable cost. You will find very affordable housing in Blythe. In the Blythe area homes range from in the low nineties to high nineties. Dwelling rentals range from $350 to $700 per month for one or two bedroom apartments. Two and three bedroom houses run from $500 to $1,000 per month. There is an exclusive, gated community about to be started on the Colorado River which will feature large custom built homes ranging into the $300,000 range, with beautiful southeast river views. There are 22 motels and over 20 mobile home and trailer parks in the area. There are also two large BLM - Long Term Visitors Areas. There is power boating, canoeing, fishing, hunting and other water sports. There is almost 95 miles of navigable water to use for your enjoyment between the Palo Verde Diversion Dam above Blythe, and Imperial Dam below Yuma. Personal Water Craft rentals are available in town at Dekens Cycle & Marine. For Colorado River Recreation: Click Here. The Palo Verde Valley is an indoor and outdoor recreational wonderland. Outdoor activities include boating, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, fishing, canoeing, camping, rock hounding, hiking, archery, hunting, horseback riding, trapping, trap & skeet shooting, dune buggying, and dirt biking. Blythe’s 350 days of sunshine offer year round sporting activities such as tennis, golfing, softball, football, soccer, and volleyball. The City of Blythe’s Recreation Department offers indoor racquetball, basketball, aerobic activities, weight room, summer swimming, supervised games for all ages and after school youth activities. They also supervise basketball, soccer, football, track and volleyball leagues. Under different programs are little league baseball, Blythe football league and many different softball leagues. The City of Blythe operates the Blythe Municipal Golf Course located at the northwest end of the valley. The course is rated 72.4 Men’s yardage at blue tees 6866 – Lady’s yardage 5684. Men’s Par 72 Slope 121 – Lady’s Par 73 Slope 110. It features a majestic view of the Palo Verde Valley. The city maintains 4 public parks including the “Big Foot Skate-board Park” for all skateboarders. This facility is located at Todd Park which is known for its large beautiful shade trees. You’ll also find the community center located here. Miller Park on 14th and Lovekin Blvd. features an RV dumping and water station. This unique facility is available to all that visit the Blythe area at no charge. The Colorado River Fairgrounds located at 11995 Olive Lake Blvd. on the Northeast edge of Blythe, California, hosts many varied activities throughout the year. In January the Bluegrass Festival calls this home. In February the Wally Byrum Airstream Club moves in for a week of “Hobo Rally”. From October through May, the I-10 Speedway will be running a variety of car races on the Fairgrounds. In April the Annual Fair runs for four days with a carnival, livestock show and auction, an exhibit building filled with art and crafts, on going entertainment in the Bommer Theater and the Grandstand and Vendors will also be there with wonderful foods and merchandise. Palo Verde Hospital is a 55-bed acute care facility serving Blythe and the surrounding Palo Verde Valley areas. Palo Verde Hospital is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of our patients, staff and community. Air-Evac to regional major trauma centers is also available. For more specific information call the Blythe Area Chamber of Commerce at (760) 922-8166. We have information sheets on subjects from “demographics” to “things to do”, as |
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Copyright 2002, Blythe Area Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
