Top-of-the-World, Arizona

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Coordinates: 33°20′49″N, 110°59′43″W
Top-of-the-World, Arizona
Location in Gila County and the state of Arizona
Country	United States
State	Arizona
Counties	Gila
Area
- City	6.0 sq mi (15.6 km²)
Population (2000)
- City	330
- Density	55.0/sq mi (21.2/km²)
Time zone	MST (no daylight saving time) (UTC-7)

Top-of-the-World is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gila County, Arizona, United States. The population was 330 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 History of the area
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Top-of-the-World is located at 33°20′49″N, 110°59′43″W (33.346856, -110.995172)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²), all land.

[edit] History of the area

Eight miles west of Miami is a divide between Miami and Superior at the 4600 foot level. This area is known as the Pinal Ranch or sometimes it is called the Top-of-the-World. It derives its Indian name from the Pinal Apaches or "pine groves in the mountains."

The site was abandoned in 1871 by the army one month after being named Camp Pinal. The troops started their mule trail at "Infantry Camp" at the foot of Picket Post and then extended it into Picket Post Creek (later called Queen Creek). The trail then crossed Devil's Canyon (named by the troops) and halted at a post they intended to build in what was then called "Mason's Valley" (later, Camp Pinal. By April 1871 the mule trail and post were both completed and General Stoneman planned on making Camp Pinal his headquarters, but the project was abandoned after General George Crook replaced General Stoneman because of the Camp Grant Massacre of April 1871. By August of that year General Crook abandoned the post, and only the mule trail was left to indicate the intended ambitious presence of U.S. soldiers.

The old Craig Ranch was built at the site of Camp Pinal. The ranch was begun about 1874 by a Mr. Irion and the Craig family, even before the town of Globe was settled. Over the years the ranch house was improved upon, and it remained in the Craig family until the about the 1970s. The ranch house is still in good condition, in spite of its 100+ years

The Top-of-the-World was a dance hall started in the 1920's along the old highway east of the Pinal Ranch. This area was settled by Robert A. Irion in 1878. His step-son Dudly Craig continued the ranching tradition in the area after Irion's death.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 330 people, 130 households, and 82 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 21.1/km² (54.6/mi²). There were 184 housing units at an average density of 11.8/km² (30.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.79% White, 1.52% Black or African American, 3.03% Native American, 4.24% from other races, and 2.42% from two or more races. 19.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 130 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $52,731, and the median income for a family was $53,438. Males had a median income of $43,813 versus $19,792 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,039. About 5.6% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.