Visiting Weedville, Arizona in January of 2021

I've been visiting Weedville nigh unto thirty years now. It's only a couple of miles away from where I live, in suburban Phoenix, Arizona, but it's a world away. And when I go there I'm inclined to say things like "nigh unto". And yes, there are cows there.

It's actually part of Peoria, specifically at 72nd Avenue north of Thunderbird Road. And you could go past it a million times and never know it was there. In fact, it wasn't until people starting seeing "Weedville" on their GPS that most people were even aware of it. It's been there since 1911, and it's still there, I was there this morning.

No, of course the buildings from 1911 are all gone, but you can still feel the history, especially standing next to the Old Paths Cemetery, which is on Cemetery Road and 72nd Avenue, which is where I took the selfie about an hour ago. I tried to get the cows in the background. Moo!

But beware, this isn't an historic area that's welcoming. In fact, it's the opposite - most of the people around there seem to just to want to left alone. I've been visiting places like this for a very long time, and I'm aware that there are eyes on me, and quite possibly gunsights. This is a place to pass by, do your business, and move on. I stay out in the open, brightly dressed, drink a sip of my water, take a quick selfie, and move on. Yes, these are the people who I learned about a long time ago from Charlie Daniels, and their message is clear: "If you don't like the way I'm living, you'd better leave this long-haired country boy alone".


Weedville was founded by a man named Ora Weed. And with due respect to him, as an old marketing guy, I would have advised his not being so egotistical. I mean, while the word weed makes people giggle nowadays, even back in 1911 it wouldn't have been something that most farmers wanted in their fields. If he'd asked me I would have suggested something like Phoenix, maybe Eagle's Nest, or something. Anything but Weedville!

The chain link fence behind me surrounds the cemetery, which is private, and is for only family. It's still in use, and as suburbia grows around it, it will remain. That's how cemeteries work. I'm inclined to think that when the next subdivision goes in, none of the houses will be on Cemetery Road. But the name of the road, and the cemetery will remain, all of this becoming interesting historical trivia at one point.

If you do go to Weedville, I recommend that you ride your bike there, or walk. A strange car is just unwelcomed there, so avoid the temptation to park in front of someone's house. If you do go there, expect to be stared at. I wave to people the same way that a man on horseback would wave as he passed by a lonely ranch in the west. You're welcome to pass by, but keep on moving, stranger!

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