Arizona myths, busted: 6 things that just aren't true about the Grand Canyon State

Not everything you may have come to believe about Arizona is true.

It’s hardly a case of fake news. More like tall tales. That’s not surprising, given the state’s Wild West roots where tales of lawlessness were encouraged given their effect on tourism (looking at you, Tombstone).

For example, what you think you know about the Gunfight at the OK Corral likely is wrong. While one of the state’s most stubborn myths, it’s hardly alone.

Assumptions related to population and weather are common, painting an inaccurate picture of the 48th state. Yet other myths have been embraced because they are so counter-intuitive, they must be true.

Here are six of Arizona’s more persistent myths, dispelled.

1. The gunfight at the OK Corral was instantly famous

The myth: At about 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, 1881, two sets of men faced off, guns drawn, in a vacant lot no more than 18 feet wide. In less than a minute, about 30 shots were fired.

When the smoke cleared, three men had suffered fatal wounds, and two others had been wounded. The story dutifully was reported by John Clum, editor of the Tombstone Epitaph, who telegraphed the news to newspapers across the nation.

The reality: The shootout soon faded into history, where it would have stayed if not for the Depression-era biography of Wyatt Earp. In 1931, “Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal” hit shelves and was snapped up by a public eager for Wild West tales.

But the shootout didn't even have a common name until the 1957 film, “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.” Further stories and movies would conflate and misrepresent the conflict, which was good news for Tombstone, which became a popular tourist destination thanks to those 30 shots.

2. Arizona has the hottest temperatures

The myth: With triple-digit temperatures common (if not the rule) from May through September, no other state is roasted by the sun like Arizona. Throw in a paucity of rain (the desert average a mere 7 inches a year) and it adds up to Arizona being the country’s warmest place to be in summer.

The reality: If Arizona were split like the Dakotas, then yes, South Arizona would likely have the nation’s hottest summers. But when you add the mountains of North Arizona, including the balmy summer temps that come with higher elevations, Arizona’s average annual temperature doesn’t even crack the top 10.

For the record, Texas is No. 1 with a summer average of 81.3 degrees statewide, followed by Louisiana at 81.1 degrees and Florida at 80.5 degrees. Arizona sits at a rather disappointing 11th at 77.3 degrees, which isn’t even worth firing up the air conditioning.

3. Arizona has the most boats

The myth: If you’ve recently moved here, you may have heard about this landlocked state’s inordinate amount of boats. Perhaps your real estate agent mentioned how Arizona has more registered boats than any other state, or an office colleague said the state has the most boats per capita. Either way, they’ll justify their claim with, “It’s so odd, it has to be true.”

The reality: It’s not true. Not even close. But you know what does make sense? That Florida is saturated with boats, the way it's almost surrounded by water.

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, $3.2 billion was spent in Florida on boats and accessories in 2018, leading the nation. Texas with $1.8 billion and Michigan with $1.1 billion were next in line. Florida, Texas and California frequently are the top three states in terms of boat registrations.

Arizona ranks in the middle of the boating pack. Though it does have more boats than Wyoming and Nevada, which seems right.

4. The Lost Dutchman gold is here

The myth: There are many variations to the convoluted tale of an immense hoard of gold hidden somewhere in the Superstition Mountains, but all are tied to Jacob Waltz, said to have drawn a map on his deathbed. Since his passing in 1891, untold thousands of hopefuls have traipsed into the Superstitions with visions of striking it rich.

The reality: Untold thousands have traipsed back out of the Superstitions with nothing more than blisters and disappointment. After all this time, it’s safe to say no such treasure exists. And Waltz wasn’t a Dutchman. He was a German immigrant. Two tales debunked.

5. Arizona brims with senior citizens

The myth: Thanks to an abundance of sunny days, active-lifestyle communities and street-legal golf carts, Arizona would seem the perfect haven for those entering their third acts. Throw in golf courses, pickleball courts and 5 p.m. concerts featuring ‘70s rock bands, and the state seems to meet the needs of a heavily stereotyped group.

The reality: Arizona may be popular with retirees, but that group doesn’t dominate as far as statistics go. According to the federal 2018 census, the state’s median age is 37.7, below the country’s median age of 38.1. That makes Arizona a demographic millennial, compared to those Gen-Xers like Maine at 44.6, New Hampshire at 43.2 and Florida at 42.

6. Grand Canyon is the most popular national park

The myth: As the Grand Canyon State, Arizona takes particular pride in being home to a certain chasm that draws visitors from all over the world. (If only so many of them didn’t come through Las Vegas that some people think the canyon is in Nevada.) It’s natural to think the country’s most stunning scenery draws the most visitors.

The reality: The South Rim of the Grand Canyon draws 6 million visitors a year. The North Rim, open May 15 to Oct. 15, adds another 500,000. Yet the Great Smoky Mountains National Park draw almost double that: 11.4 million people. It also straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, making it much more accessible.

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