History

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.

Eagar, like all of Southern Apache County, is a designated Enterprise Zone, which can mean substantial tax savings for businesses expanding or relocating in the region.