The Goodyear of today exists because of the cotton of yesteryear. It was part of the 16,000 acres purchased in 1917 for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company by executive Paul Litchfield. Cotton was used to make rubber tires for airplanes at the time and was in was in short supply because of World War I. 

We invite you immerse yourself in the history of our great city with our interactive timeline. The timeline is part of the Goodyear Historical Project that is dedicated to preserving the history of Goodyear. Our timeline is ever unfolding as we continue to add to it.

Try our interactive Historical timeline:

In 1941, with the United States on the verge of entering WWII, the Defense Department started construction on an aircraft plant on land they leased from Southwest Cotton Company. The plant was operated by Goodyear Aircraft, a division of Goodyear Tire & Rubber. Del Webb started the construction of single family homes on 40 acres of land just north of Western Avenue and east of Litchfield Road.

Southwest Cotton Company built a business district on the north side of Western Avenue that housed Bowman’s Drug and Abraham’s Market facing Western and facing Litchfield Road a barbershop and a beauty salon. In May 1944, the residents and property owners chose the name "Goodyear."
 
The Goodyear Post Office was opened on Nov. 22, 1944, and the town of Goodyear was incorporated on Nov. 19, 1946. At that time, the town had:

• 151 homes
• 250 apartments
• a grocery store, drug store, barber shop, beauty shop and service station

The town became a city in 1985.

Do you or your family have historical images of our city?  Would you like to contribute to the Goodyear Historical Project?

Let us know by sending us a message! We will professionally scan your images and return them to you and credit you and/or your family when we use them.