Gila Bend ( /ˌhiːlə ˈbɛnd/; O’odham: Hila Wi:n), founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is close to but not precisely at the community’s current location. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 2,055.
Just outside the town is the San Lucy district (O’odham: Weco Cekṣanĭ) of the Tohono O’odham Nation, with a tiny settlement, San Lucy (O’odham: Si:l Mek) bordering the town itself.
On December 14, 2006, Volkswagen of America, Inc., leased 11,900 acres (48 km) of land at a cost of $55 million for 25 years, ten miles (16 km) west of Gila Bend, on which they plan to develop a new automobile proving ground.
Gila Bend enjoys a minor notability among tourists and aficionados of roadside attractions. Besides the quirky welcome sign (shown at right), the town boasts several roadside sculptures and the Space Age Lodge motel and restaurant (opened in 1963…
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