Generations of families have been raised in Joseph City since it was founded in 1876. This is the first public building in community built in 1887-88, which served as both an LDS church and a school. This photo shows school children circa 1893. The building was used as a school until 1916, then a brick church building was built between 1903 and 1909.
Generations of families have been raised in Joseph City since it was founded in 1876. This is the first public building in community built in 1887-88, which served as both an LDS church and a school. This photo shows school children circa 1893. The building was used as a school until 1916, then a brick church building was built between 1903 and 1909.
Fifty years ago, in 1976, the Joseph City High School basketball team brought home the first of any JCHS team state championship under the guidance of Coach Duane Jones. Also pictured are (left to right) Tempy Roberson, Cheryl Hansen and Amber Fish. Other players included Karen Miller, Luanne Foree, Susan Shelley, Irene Yarrison, Sandy Baird and Shanna Hatch. The Lady Wildcats posted a 23-1 record.
School administrators in 2015 included (front row, left to right) Jason Gardner, Kathy Mitchell, Selena Nells, Suliasi Kaufusi, (back row) Business Manager Steve Mills, Superintendent Bryan Fields, Stephanie Farr, and Julie Strong.
The officers for the Class of 2015 included (left to right) President Talaina Kor, Vice President Katelyn Pugh, Secretary Jacob Martin and Social Secretary Sharon Larsen.
Joseph City Homecoming royalty for 2009 included (front row, left to right) Deidra Hansen, Cheyenne Penrod, (middle row) Dallin Baldwin, Antonio Caballero, Kaylee Pugh, Joel DeWitt, (back row) Stephen Solomon, Jessica Burt, Queen Tori Mosier, King Justin Clifford, Jaci Penrod and Derek Downs.
This photo taken in the late 1930’s includes the original pioneers to settle Joseph City in 1876. They were listed as (left to right) Grandma Richards, Grandma Hansen, Grandma Sophia McLaws and Grandpa Shelley.
Joseph City girls Pauline Bushman (Miller), Ruth Shelley (Scott), Charlotte Brewer (Petersen) circa 1944 on Main Street.
Founder’s Day picnic at the dam / 1940’s style. Roxie Shelley (left) and Callie Brewer (right). This weekend the community celebrates its 150th Founders Day.
All sons of original Joseph City pioneers, these young men posed for a spring 1909, photo. The band included (left to right) Thomas Shelley, J. Virgil Bushman, James Hansen, Alonzo Bushman and Fred Bushman.
The Relief Society is an important women’s organization within the LDS Church, with the women attending to the needs of families within their ward. This photo shows members of the Relief Society in Joseph City circa 1945.
Joseph City’s first post office was established in 1878, then the second post office (pictured) was dedicated on Feb. 15, 1958, and managed by Walter Shelley.
In 1951, Southern Union Gas Company started to lay gas line in Joseph City. Pictured is Joseph City Chamber of Commerce members including Walter Shelley (right front), the founding president, standing by officers John Miller and Irene Roberson.
Joseph City Founder’s Day Celebration at the old Main Street church. Pictured are Gwen Webb (on piano), Maurine Despain, Charlotte Petersen, Roxie Shelley, Beulah Hunt, Illa Claire Miller and Betty Jo Hunt.
Probably the greatest struggle for the residents of Joseph City was containing the waters of the Little Colorado. This photo, taken in 1894, is of the 11th dam built by the community since 1876. It lasted 29 years until a new dam was built that is still in place today.

This week Joseph City is celebrating being one of the oldest continuous settlements along the Little Colorado River. The town, originally called Allen’s Camp after Captain William C. Allen who led the settlers, was founded in 1876 by 73 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The settlers worked together to build irrigation canals to bring water from the Little Colorado River to their fields. Farming in the region proved difficult because the river was known for both unpredictable floods and droughts, which frequently destroyed canals and crops. Eleven dams were built between 1876 and 1984 with that lasting 29 years until the final dam was built in 1923 and is still used today.

When the railroad arrived nearby in the early 1880s, trade and transportation improved, helping the town survive and slowly grow. Then during the early 20th century, the famous Route 66 was built, connecting the community with other nearby towns and travelers from across the country.

The settlement’s name was officially changed from Allen’s Camp to St. Joseph in 1878, then to Joseph City in 1923, to eliminate persistent mail and freight confusion with St. Joseph, Mo.

The community was originally built on agriculture, with farming serving as its economic foundation. In 1960, the construction of the Cholla Power Plant brought a new era of opportunity, providing stable, well-paying jobs and supporting generations of families in the area for more than 65 years.

Even today, many of the families in the community are descendants from the original settlers and the tight-knit community continues to preserve the traditions, values and history that first shaped Joseph City nearly 150 years ago.