About Town of Carefree

 A 400-acre goat farm north of Scottsdale was discovered, and the 2,200 surrounding acres were secured by the founders K.T. Palmer and Tom Darlington for $44,000. 

 The Carefree Development Corporation was created and the name “Carefree” was regularly used to describe the vision of the Town. 

 The Town’s whimsical street names come to life during a dinner party in Phoenix. Palmer mentioned to the group that they had not yet selected names for the streets, and party guests began making suggestions. This is when Easy Street, Ho Hum Road, Lazy Lane, Nonchalant Avenue and Wampum Way (among others) came to life and began to generate publicity for the unique development.  

 Architect Gerry Jones designs and builds the first home in Carefree, the DeMille house (Lot 139) on Bloody Basin Road. Jones wrote the Architectural Guidelines for Mountainside Design, setting out building principles for the community. He is credited with developing the extreme mountain architectural style, used to build many of the homes on and around Black Mountain.  

 The Sundial is completed. Commissioned by K.T. Palmer and designed by solar engineer Dr. John Yellott and architect Joe Wong, the metal gnomon (shadow-casting arm) points directly to the North Star, measures 62 ft. long and rises 35 ft. off the ground. The Carefree Sundial was once the largest sundial in the world. After it was finally installed, Carefree promoters adopted the slogan, “Where the sun marks time.”  (Duane D. Carlson)

 SkyRanch Airport was established with only a dirt strip for a runway, but it provided the means to attract investors and tourists that were needed to fuel the economic engine of the town. It became Arizona's first airport to offer residents fly-in access to their homes on an airfield. 

 Desert Forest Golf Club, designed by Robert “Red” Lawrence, opens as the first desert golf course in the Southwestern U.S. It is also the first Western course to incorporate the desert itself into the design, instead of imposing eastern designs on the desert landscape. 

 Carefree International Restaurant opens, offering a unique dining experience with six distinct themed dining rooms (Nordic, Asian, African, South American, North American, and Mediterranean) in its 25,000-square-foot space. The restaurant also includes a wine cellar, central kitchen, and lobby. Despite its revolutionary concept, it operated for only two years.

 The Desert Forest Inn, later named the Carefree Inn, opens and serves as the focal point for social gatherings in Carefree. The wives of the Inn’s investors frequently used the community’s 20-page phone book to send out invitations for impromptu “TGIF” parties to residents.

 Arizona Film Commissioner Fred Graham builds Southwestern Studios. The 160-acre desert property featured three state-of-the-art soundstages, edit bays, a 35mm screening room, make-up and production facility, a Western Street and a back lot. Stage 1 was used to film The New Dick Van Dyke Show, starring Town resident Dick Van Dyke. A few other features filmed in Carefree include Raising Arizona, featuring Nicholas Cage, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, staring Keanu Reeves. 

 Spanish Village, a commercial project in the downtown area, was built by K.T. Palmer and Rex Howard. While the building was under construction, Dr. Levy (first name unknown) a physician from Milwaukee, WI, asked if he could purchase the future enterprise. Not wanting to sell, the entrepreneurs came up with an outrageous sales price – well above market value. Dr. Levy accepted the bloated sales price without a counter-offer. Dr. Levy’s son managed the distinctive center and owned the Spanish Galleon and Cantina Restaurant.  

 Hugh Downs, an American broadcaster and radio programmer, landed his antique bi-plane at the SkyRanch airport when it first opened and he loved it so much he built the first fly-in home, which was designed by architect Gerry Jones. 

 Gerry Jones designs the Slingman House, sited on 2.12 acres of boulders. He “bridged” the house over the boulders, creating the first bridge house in Arizona. His design saved thousands of dollars, as he used the boulders for bearing instead of a standard foundation. Hollywood director Orson Welles was evicted from the home for violating a "no filming" rule on his rental lease, and left behind his size 68 boxers. 

 Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song "Carefree Highway," the second single from his album Sundown. In October of 1974, it reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claimed the top spot on the Easy Listening chart for one week. 

 On Friday, March 26, the Carefree Sundial was donated to the Town by the Kiwanis Club of Carefree. Two days prior to the deed transfer, the Kiwanis Club moved to dedicate the Sundial area to the only living founding father of Carefree, K.T. Palmer. The area surrounding the Sundial is officially named “K.T. Palmer Sundial Circle.” K.T. Palmer passed later that year. 

 Concerned about encroachment by the City of Scottsdale, Carefree is officially incorporated as a Town with Merritt Bigelow as the first mayor. 

 The Labyrinth at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center is completed. Located at 7415 East Elbow Bend Road, it is a part of a larger retreat center originally called the Estrem Center, as it was built upon land donated by Maybelle and Malcolm Estrem. Mac and Maybelle Estrem of Sun City, AZ and Richfield, MN made the dream possible with gifts totaling nearly three million dollars, used for the original purchase in 1993, and construction of new buildings. The Estrems donated the campus to the Southwest Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who set the retreat center as a separate non-profit organization.  

 Thunderbird Artists hold their first Fine Art and Wine Festival in downtown Carefree. Marking the beginning of a cherished tradition. This event has since become a hallmark, recurring three times annually in the fall, winter, and spring. Over the years, these festivals have not only showcased exceptional fine art but have also evolved into vibrant celebrations that bring together artists, wine enthusiasts, and the community. 

 The Carefree Studios property was sold to a developer who transformed it to a very popular power retail center, anchored by Target and Safeway, with everything from Starbucks to gourmet hamburger places. There is no evidence that the Carefree Studios was ever there. 

 A dirt lot in the center of Town is transformed into the Carefree Desert Gardens, featuring walkways, bridges, water features and an amphitheater. The Carefree Desert Gardens still remains a go-to destination for tourists and residents alike. 

 The Town’s new Fire Station No. 1 and Emergency Operations Center is completed. The building is designed to meet the future needs of the area, and aesthetically relates to its natural surroundings.  

 Carefree Desert Gardens are renovated as a gift from Mark and Juanita Wdowiak of Desert Foothills Landscaping. Their contribution allowed for the addition of a greater variety of plants, identification signage and a tour map for visitors who want to visit the area. 

 Sanderson Lincoln generously donated $250,000 to refurbish the pavilion with and the amphitheater was officially reopened and renamed the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Since then, it has been a venue for music and dance performances, craft and produce markets, and a variety of community activities. 

 In April, the Kiwanis Splash Pad opens in the Carefree Desert Gardens. Featuring a unique water scorpion, the nature-inspired play area was donated to the Town by the Kiwanis Club of Carefree.  

 CIVANA acquired the Carefree Inn and officially opened its doors on March 6, marking the highly anticipated launch of the next-generation hospitality wellness brand. The debut took place at the site formerly known as the Carefree Resort and Conference Center in Carefree, AZ. Offering a comprehensive range of amenities, including healthy dining, spa facilities, movement and fitness classes, as well as enrichment programs and lectures, CIVANA stands out as the first sustainable wellness resort in Greater Phoenix, the sixth-largest market. 

 The Hampton Inn by Hilton has opened its doors in Carefree Town Center, aligning with the vision set forth by the original founders, K.T. Palmer and Tom Darlington. Their intent was to capitalize on Scottsdale's long-range planning while leveraging the Town's distinctive location and renowned status as an arts and resort center.  

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Carefree celebrated its 40th anniversary with a year filled with community-focused events that blended nostalgia, connection, and joy. From engaging gatherings that honored the town's history to vibrant evenings of music, film, and festivities, each occasion highlighted the spirit and charm that make Carefree special. The celebrations brought residents and visitors together, creating moments of reflection and new memories, marking a milestone year with gratitude and excitement for the future.nity is a place where you can find support, inspiration, and encouragement from people who share your interests.